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PREFATORY NOTE. 


eee ee 


Tur Student’s Mythology has been in use 
h manuscript for nearly three years in one 
f our largest academies, where it has been 
eceived with much favor by both teachers 
nd pupils. Hven in that form, which sub- 
xcted them to the inconvenience of long 
ictations, it was preferred to any of the 
rdinary text-books on the subject. Copies 
rere sought for the use of other institutions, 
nd the principals of the academy referred to, 
onsented that the work Spoud be prepared 
or the press. 
In carrying out theplan, the subject mat- 
oe carefully classified, and such additions 
@€ aS were deemed necessary for com- 
leteness. As a farther precaution, the 


‘hole was submitted to the revision of an — 


minent @lassical scholar, 





y) MytTHoLoay. 


Mythology is a subject which needs to be 
treated with peculiar care ; and text-books 
are often objected to by parents and teachers 
as still retaining the taint of pagan corrup- 
tion, and presenting dangerous images to the 
youthful mind. It was this difficulty which 
first led to the preparation of the present 
work. The Student’s Mythology lays no 
claim to any superiority in point of erudi- 
tion ; the text-books already before the pub- 
lic leave nothing to be desired in this particu- 
lar. It is a practical work, prepared by an 
experienced teacher, and already submitted 
to the decisive test of the schoolroom. It is 
not designed for young persons who are 
already advanced in classical studies, but 
rather for pupils who have not yet entered, 
or who, like the greater number of those 
attending our female academies, are not 
likely ever to enter upon any regular class- 
Ical course. For the former, it may prove a 
useful introduction to these studies, while the 
— latter will find in the work the most import- 
ant and pleasing features of mythology. 

With such views, it has been considered 
most judicious to present the classic fables in 
their simplest, which is also their most poctic 


PreFATORY NOTE. 3 


form, giving the allegorical meaning attached 
to the ancient. myths, only where their appli- 
cation is clear and simple. For the same 
reason, the writer has avoided questions of 
comparative mythology, except in cases 
where the analogies are too obvious to be 
passed unnoticed. The work has been com- 
piled with care frem reliable sources, and 
will, perhaps, be found to contain much that 
is new and interesting ; many articles, such as 
those on the public games, the theatrical 
entertainments of the Greeks, the Assyrian, 
Chinese and American mythologies, will be 
found a pleasing addition, as these subjects 
have not been treated in the ordinary text- 
books. The chapter on the ‘ Poets of Clas- 
sic Fable,” and the ‘‘ Supplement” contain- 
ing a notice of the ancient writers whose 
names occur in the body of the work, will, it 
is hoped, be found generally useful. 

Among the modern authors to whom the 
writer has been particularly indebted, we may 
mention Calmet, Anthon, Tooke, Bulfinch, 
Hue and Schlegel. In preparing the article 
on Druidism, Martin’s ‘* Histoire de France,” 
and the ‘‘Monuments Celtiques” of Rey- 
naud, have been consulted, together with the 


4. MytrHoLoay. 


Irish Chroniclers and other standard authori- 
ties. The matter of the Mexican and Peru- 
vian mythologies, has been chiefly taken from 
Clavigero and Prescott. Reference has been 
made throughout to the New American Cy- 
clopeedia. 

The work now completed is offered to the 
public in the hope that it may render the 
subject of mythology more generally popular 
in our schools, and obviate the dangers 
attending this otherwise attractive study. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER I. 
Origin of Mythology—Divinities called Celestial. A Sot 


CHAPTER II. 


Greek and Roman Divinities—Jupiter—Juno—How represented—Par- 
entage and Actions—Probable Origin of these Fables—Adventures of 


Jupiter—Story of Europa—Search of Cadmus—Punishment of Ly- ' 


caon . ° . ° « ® ° . . 


CHAPTER III. 


Apollo—His Parentage and Exploits—How represented—Story of Ais- 
culapius—Banishment of Apollo from Heaven—Transformation of Hya- 
cinthus and Cyparissus—Story of Admetus and Alecstis—Attributes of 
Apollo—Punishment inflicted on Marsyas and on King Midas—Story 
of Midas—Death of Pheton—Transformation of Daphne—Things Sa- 
cred to Apollo P A . : ; ° F . . 


CHAPTER IV. 
Mars (Ares)—His Parentage—How represented—Animals , Sacred to 
Mars—Names given to Mars—His Temple—Priests called Salii. 
CHAPTER V. 


Mercury (Hermes)—His Parentage—How represented—Offices of Mer- 
cury—Benefits conferred by Mercury on Man—Why considered the 
Patron of Thieves—Story of Io and Argus. . ° ° 


CHAPTER VI. 


Bacchus (Dionysus)—Parentage of the God—How represented—Story 
of Semele—Infancy of Bacchus—Transformation of Nymphs into 


29 


36 


6 MyTHooay. 


Stars—Silenus—How represented—Exploits of Bacchus—How wor- 
shipped—Plants Sacred to the God—Bacchanalia or Orgia—Story of 
Pentheus—Punishment inflicted on Alcithoe and her Sisters—Trans- 
formation of Mariners into Dolphins. ° ° ° 2 ° . 


CHAPTER VII. 


Celestial Goddesses—Juno—Hera—Parentage of Juno—How represented 
—Iris, Messenger of Juno—Children of Juno—Jealousy of the Ged- 
dess—Transformation of Callista and Arcés into Bears—Sacrifices 
offered to the Goddess—Plants held Sacred to her. . . ° : 


CHAPTER VIII. 


Minerva—Pallas Athena—How represented—Origin of the Olive—The 
Palladium—Minerva, as the Patroness of Female Industry—Story 
of Arachne—The Bird of Minerva—Story of Medusa’s Head. . 


CHAPTER IX. 


Venus—Aphrodite—Birth and Education of Venus—Marriage with Vul- 
can—How represented—Temples of Venus—The Graces—Cupid— 
Festivals of the Goddess—Birds and Plants Sacred to her— 
Sacrifices—Temple of Venus Calva—The Apple of Discord—De- 
cision of Paris—Story of Hippomenes and Atalanta—Death of 
Adonis—Origin of the Red Rose—Names of the Graces . ° ° 


CHAPTER X. 


Latona—Leto—Her Parentage—Persecution of Juno—Birth of Apollo 
and Diana—Transformation of Lycian Peasants into Frogs—Pun- 
ishment of Tityus—Latona a Personification of Night—How repre- 
sented by Painters and Sculptors. 5 = ° . . ° 


CHAPTER XI. 


Aurora—Eos—Attributes of the Goddess—How represented—Story of 
Cephalus and Procris—-Marriage of Aurora with Tithonus—Traus- 
formation of Tithonus—Memnon—His Death and Obsequies—Vocal 
Statue. . e e . e e e e e e ° e 


CHAPTER XII. 


Terrestrial Gods—Saturn—His Parentage—How represented—His His- 
tory—The Golden Age—Sacrifices offered to Saturn—The Saturnalia 
—Modern Carnival—Janus—Contradictory Accounts of his Origin— 
Temple of Janus—Quirinus at Rome. ° e ° ° . ° 


39 


43 


45 


49 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


Vulcan—Hephestus—Parentage of this God—Why banished from Hea- 
ven—Occupation of Vulcan—His Most Celebrated Works—Marriage 
with Venus—The Cyclops—Vulcania—Temple on Mount Etna— 
Cacus—Cceculus—Other Works of Vulcan. 4 : ‘ . . 


CHAPTER XIY. 
Zolus—Supposed origin of the Fable—Momus—His Parentage—Criti- 
cisms passed on other Divinities—His Banishment from Olympus 


CHAPTER XV. 


Terrestrial Goddesses—Vesta—Hestia—Her Parentage and Attributes— 
How represented—Worship of Vesta at Rome—Vestal Virgins— 
Their Obligations and Privileges—Anecdote. : . A ° 


CHAPTER XVI. 


Cybele—How called by the Greeks—Parentage and Attributes—How 
represented—Temple of Cybele on Mount Dindymus—Sacred Im- 
age—Festival of Megalecia—Galle and Corybantes—Bona Dea— 


Story of the Vestal Claudia. : ° : : ‘ “ ae 


CHAPTER XVII. 


Ceres—Demeter—Parentage and Attributes—How represented—Story of 
Proserpine—Eleusinian Mysteries—Rites practiced—Story of Trip- 
tolemus—Sacrifices offered to Ceres—Feasts called Ambarvalia—De- 
scribed by Virgil. - - 2 : c 


> > e ° 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


Themis—Origin and Attributes—Astrea changed into the Constellation 
Virgo—Erigone—Nemesis—Her Office—Temple of Nemesis at 
Rhamuus. . ° ° . . c . 


CHAPTER XIX. 


The Muses—Their Number, Names and Attributes—Why there are Nine 
Muses—Punishment of the Daughters of Pierus. . 


CHAPTER XX. 


Gods of the Woods, and Rural Deities—Pan—Names given to this 
Deity—His Origin—How represented—Famous Action related of 


Pan—Origin of Pan’s Reeds—Satyrs_and.Patins—Terminus—Ver- 
tumnus—Pales ° o e e ° e o ° ° e e 


64 


67 


69 


72 


15 


80 


82 


84 


8 CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER ‘XXI. 


Goddesses of the Woods—Diana—Parentage and Attributes of this 
Goddess—How represented—Habits of Diana—Her Attendants— 
Punishment of Chione—story of Niobe—Temple of Diana at Ephe- 
sus—Burned by Erostratus—Despoiled by Nero—Plundered by the 
Goths—Nymphs—Naiades—Oreades—Oceanides—Dryades and Ha- 
madryades—Arethusa—Story of Echo—Transformation of Narcissus. 87 


CHAPTER XXII. 


Gods of the Sea—Neptune—Poseidon—Parentage of the God—How 
represented—Ofiices of Neptune—Feasts held at Rome in his 
Honor—Children of Neptune—Triton—Phorcus or Proteus—Sirens 
—Ulysses—Orpheus—Scylla and Charybdis—Melicertes—Thetis— 
Glaucus . : A 7 ‘ : : ° ° ° ° ; « 93 


CHAPTER XXIII. 


Infernal Deities—Pluto—Hades—Parentage of the God—His Kingdom 
—Representations and Emblems—Dis—Plutus—Hell—Cerberus— 
Fates—Furies—Judges of the Dead—Punishment inflicted on the ~ 
Condemned—Giants—Ixion—Sisyphus—Tantalus—The Belides— 
Salmoneus—Ely,sium . ; 3 : : * A . . eo. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 


Fabulous Monsters—Centaurs—Geryon—Harpies—Briareus—The Chi- 
mera—Explanation of this Fable—The Sphinx—Fabulous History 
—Statue of the Sphinx in Egypt. ° . : : 3 - 105 


CHAPTER XXV. 


Household Divinities—Penates—Offices and Attributes—Lares—Their 
Offices—Sacrifices offered to the Goddess Mania—Honors paid to 
the Lares—Virtues worshipped as Divibnities’. ae 5 . 108 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


Demigods and Heroes—Their Origin—Hercules—His Parentage— 
Twelve Labors of the Hero—Field of Narbonne—Death of Her- 
cules. f ; 5 : : 5 : “ A ; r o De 


CHAPTER XXVII. 


Jason—Expedition in search of the Golden Fleece—Medea—Her Re- 
venge—Theseus—Tribute imposed on the Athenians—Departure of 
Theseus—Destruction of the Minotaur—Ariadne—Death of Aigeus. 119 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER XXVIII 


Castor aud Pollux—Their Parentage—Death of Castor—Constellation 
Gemini—Prometheus—His Parentage—His Impiety—Pandora’s 
Box—Punishment of Prometheus . . . 


CHAPTER XXIX. 
Orpheus—Story of Euryaice—Death of Orpheus—Transformation of 
Thracian Women into Trees—Arion—Amphion. 7 ‘ : 


CHAPTER XXX. 


Atlas—His Parentage—Transformed by Perseus into a Mountain—Ex- 
planation of the Fable—Pleiades—Hyades—Hesperides—Orion— 
His Parentag2, Exploits and Death—Transformation into a Con- 
stellation—Perseus—His Parentage—Rescue of Andromeda—Death 
emer RS 6 8 or a aS te a CSD Myr 0 ga og 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


Bellerophon—Victory over the Chimzra—His Presumption and its 


Punishment—Deucalion—Legend of the re-peopling of the Earth . 


after the Deluge—Probable Explanation—Dedalus—Labyrinth— 
Death. of Icarus—Ceyx—Alcyone—Haleyon. Birds. . . . . 


CHAPTER XXXII. 
Meleager—The Calydonian Hunt—Erisichthon, Nisus and Scylla. - 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 
Poets of Classic Fable—Homer—Hesiod—Virgil—Ovid . San . 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 


Heroes Celebrated by the Poets—Agamemnon—Saecrifice of Iphigenia 
—Quarrel with Achilles—Murder of Agamemnon by Aigisthus and 
Clytemnestra—Achilles—His Parentage—Discovered by Ulysses at 
the Court of Lycomedes—His Quarrel with Agamemnon—Death of 
Patroclus—Exploits during the Siege—Death of Achilles—Sacrifice 
of Polyxena—Transtformation of Hecuba. . 


CHAPTER XXXYV. 


Ulysses—His Marriage with Penelope—Feigned Insanity—Exploits dur- 
ing the Siege of Troy—Lotus Eaters—Slaying of the Sacred Cattle 
by the Sailors—Their destruction—Ulysses in the Island of Calypso 
—Cast on the Shores of Phweacia—His Arrival in Ithaca—Suitors of 
Penelope—Her Deliverance by Ulysses. Z . : A ‘ 


- 123 


- 125 


129 


134 


140 


145 


. 152 


156 


1) CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER XXXVI. 


Orestes—Education at the Court of Strophius—Pylades—Murder of 
Clytemnestra—Orestes pursued by the Furies—Discovery of Iphi- 
genia at Tauris—Circumstances added by the Tragic Poets—Hector 
—Character and Exploits of the Hero ; his Death—Fate of Astyan- 
ax—(Edipus—Eteocles and Polynices—Theban War—Heroism of 


Antigone. : - 3 “ £ 7 és : : . 164 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 


#neas—His Parentage—His Flight from Troy—Interview with An- 
dromache at Epirus—Prophecy of Helenus—Aineas driven by a 
Storm on the Coast of Africa—Receivyed by Dido at Carthage—De- 
parture of 7Zneas—Death of Dido—Funeral Games—Descent into 
the Infernal Regions—Landing of Hneas in Italy—War—Death of 
Turnus and Marriage of Mineas with Lavinia—His Death. 


CHAPTER XXXVIII. 


Sibyls—Story of the Cumzan Sibyl—Legend of the Sibylline Books— 
Their destruction—Opinions entertained regarding these Verses— 
Divination by Omens—The Augurs—Different Classes of Omens— 
Anecdote. . . : ‘ ° ° : : : . . . 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 


Oracles—Oracle of Jupiter at Dodona—Manner of giving Responses— 
Oracle of Delphi—Account given by Diodorus—The Pythia—Re- 
markable Responses—Unsuccessful attempts made to plunder this 
Temple—Despoiled by Nero and others—Oracle of Trophonius— 
Story of the Hero and his Brother—Agamedes—Discovery of the 
Oracle—Peculiar Rites observed by the Votaries—Oracle of Jupiter 
Ammon—lIts Situasion—Temple founded by Bacchus—Expedition 
sent by Cambyses—Ruins still existing—Fons Solis—Account giv- 
en by Belzoni—Oracle of Esculapius at Epidaurus—Remarkable 
Embassy sent to Epidaurus by the Roman Senate—Treatment of 
Votaries in the different Oracles of Esculapius—Oracle of the Cas- 
talian Fount—Anecdote of the Emperor Hadrian—Opinions enter- 
tained with regard to these Oracles—Quotation from Milton. : 


CHAPTER XL. 


Classic Games—Why connected with Mythology—Olympic Games—By 
Whom instituted—Time and Manner of their celebration—Olym- 


es ral! 


176 


CONTENTS. Il 


piads—Nature of the Contests—Qualifications required of the Com- 
petitors—Prize awarded to the Victors—Honors bestowed—Horse 
and Chariot Races—Philip of Macedon—Alcibiades—Cynisca—In- 
tellectual Contests—Herodotus—Dionysius—Pythian Games—By 
whom instituted—Time of their Celebration—Prize—Nemean 
Games—Crowns bestowed—Isthmian Games—Why so called—Insti- 
tuted in Honor of Melicertes—Garland bestowed on the Victor. « 191 


CHAPTER XLI. 


‘ The Greek Drama—Peculiarities of the Greek Theatre—Description of 
the Theatre of Bacchus at Athens—Stage Machinery—Dress of the 
Actors—Masks—The Chorus—Measures of the Choral Dance—Cho- 
rus of the Furies—Story of Ibycus—Attempt made to revive the 
Ancient Chorus—Time occupied by Theatrical Entertainments— 
Their cost—Comparison with the Roman Amphitheatre . * . 197 


CHAPTER XLII. 


Vv Celebrated Statues—The Olympian Jupiter—Minerva of the Parthenon 
—Subsequent Fate of this Temple—Apollo Belvidere—Diana a la 
Biche . > . ° ° ° - = . ‘ ° . 206 


da dee Deel It; 


CHAPTER I. 


Egyptian Divinities—Osiris—Apis and Serapis—Parentage of Osiris— 
His Death and Sepulture—Isis—Attributes—Emblematic represent- 
ation—Rites of Isis forbidden at Rome—Condemned by Juvenal— 
Apis—Manner of transmigration—Festivals in Honor of Apis— 
Discovery of a Successor—Oracles obtained from this Divinity— 
Germanicus—Harpocrates—Quotation - C A : ° . 209 


CHAPTER I. 


Eastern Mythology—Divinities of the Assyrians—Baal or Bel—Tower 
of Babel—Proper Names of the Phosnicians and Carthaginians— 
Worship of Baal introduced among the Israelites by Achab—Re- 
proaches of Jeremias—Moloch—Nations devoted to his Worship— 
Human Sacrifices—Representation of this God—His Worship for- 
bidden by Moses—Valley of Hinnom—Quotation from Milton— 
Ashtaroth or Astarte—Sacrifices in Honor of this Goddess—Abuses 
attending her Festivals—-Thammuz identical with Adonis—Mourned 
by the Assyrian Women—Lines from Milton—Vision of Ezekiel— 
Oannes—Dagon . is ° ° ° ° ° ° “ : . 218 


12 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER III. 


Persia—The Zend-avesta—Doctrines of Zoroaster—Ormuzd or Ormas- 


des—Ahriman—Worship of Fire—The Guebers—Perpetual Fires— 


Bakoo—Magic and Astrology—Parsees of Hindostan . 3 ° . 218 


CHAPTER IV. 


Hindoo Mythology—Brahma—The Vedas—Doctrine of the Yedas—Brah- 


ma, Vishnu and Siva—Ofifices of these Deities—Avatars of Vishhnu— 
Krishna—Siva—Doctrines regarding the Soul—Metempsychosis— 


Castes—Buddha—His Doctrines—Buddhism suppressed in India 222 
4 


CHAPTER Y. 


China—Absence of any State Religion in China—Doctrine of the Lettered 


—Confucius—His Writings—Honors paid him in China—Difiiculties 
occasioned among Christian Missionaries—Lao-tze, founder of the 
Religion of Tao or Reason—His Writings—Chinese Buddhists— 
Temple of Buddha at Pou-tou—General Feeling of the Chinese with 


regard to Religion. 5 ‘ . . . . . . ‘ . 


CHAPTER VI. 


Thibet—The Grand Lama—Prevailing Religion of 'Thibet and Tartary 


—Lamaseries—The Grand Lama, a Perpetual Incarnation of Bud- 
dha—His transmigrations—Mode of discovering his Successor 


CHAPTER VII. 


Mythology of Scandinavyia—Compared with that of Greece and Rome— 


The Eddas—Account of the Creation—Form of the Earth—Asgard, 
Odin—Names of this Deity—Valhalla—Thor—Recovery of Thor’s 
Hammer—F rey and Freya—Bragi—Heimdail—Vidar—Hodur—The 
Valkyrior—Loki and his Progeny—Death of Baldur—His Funeral 
—Loki’s Punishment—The Elyes—Runic maces the 
Twilight of the Gods. A : . ° . . . . 


CHAPTER VIII. 


Celtic Mythology—Druidism—Derivation of the Word Druid—Origin 


of Druidical Worship—Account given by Czsar—Characteristics— 
Divinities worshipped by the Druids—Esus—His Attributes—Bel— 
Teutates—Camul—Tarann—Priests—Their Duties—Bards—Their 
Influences—Druids, properly so called—Sacred Plants—Mystic 
Writing of the Druids—Their Political Authority—Druidesses—Of 
the Loire—Of the Island of Sena—Human Sacrifices offered by 
Druidesses—Virgins of Tara—Sacrifices offered by the Druids— 
Victims chosen—Belief of the Druids in.a Future State—Festivals 


229 


236 


. 238 


CoNTENTS. 13 


of the Druids—Festival—Solstices—Beltane or Bealtime—Ceremo- 
nies observed in Ireland—St. Patrick at Tara—First of Rau 
Breton Legend—Superstitious Practices belonging to the — 
Suppression of Druidism in Gaul—In England—Mona#— Iona 
—Druidical Monuments—Menhirs—Dolmens—Cromlechs—Stone- 
henge—Carnac—Popular Superstitions F E ° * s - 257 






CHAPTER IX. 


Mexico—Mythology of the Aztecs—Its Peculiar Characteristics—Belief 
of the Aztecs with regard to the Supreme Being—Subordinate Dei- 
ties—Huitzilopotchli—Legend of Quetzalcoatl—Household Divini- 
sies—Belief of the Aztecs with regard to a Future State—Singular 
Ceremony—Rites of Burial—Aztec Priests—Priestesses—Mexican 
Temples—Pyramid of Cholula—Sacritices—Their Number—Victims 
offered annually to LIetzcatlipoca—Cannibal Repasts—Montezuma 274 


CHAPTER X. 


Mythology of the Ancient Peruvians—Belief in One God—Worship of 
the Sun—Moon, and Stars—Legend of Manco-Capac—Pretended 
Origin of the Inca Race—Legend of the Deluge—Tradition of 
White Men from the East—Temple of the Sun in the Island of Titi- 

. eaca—Temple of Cuzco—Peruvian Priesthood—Sacrifices offered to 
the Sun—Festivals of the Sun—Feast of Raymi—Resemblance of 
certain Peruvian Rites to those observed by the Ancient Ro- 
mans—Virgins of the Sun—Burial Rites of.the Peruvians—Cupay 284 


SUPPLEMENT. 


Notice of Authors, etc., mentioned in this Volume—Aschylus—Cesar 
—Cicero—Demosthenes—Diodorus—Huripides—Herodotus—Justin 
—Juvenal— Mecenas— Pelasgi— Plinius—Procopius— Simonides— 
‘Sophocles—Strabo—Titicaca—Varro . . .« « © 6 -« 292 


(ae ath ced ty 
ry 





CHAPTER I. 


Ques. What is Mythology ? | 

Ans. It is an account of the fabulous divinities 
worshipped by the heathens in ancient times. 

Ques. Did all the heathen nations worship the 
same deities ? 

Ans. No, every nation had its own gods, and 
its own superstitions. For example, the Mytho- 
logy of the Hindoos differs completely from that of 
the Greeks and Romans, which we are avout to 
study. ; 

Ques. Why is it necessary to become acquaint- 
ed with the fables of mythology ? 

Ans. Because if we were not acquainted with 
the names, and supposed histories of the heathen 
divinities, we could not fully understand the an- 
cient writers of Greece and Rome. These fables 
are also constantly alluded to by modern authors, 
so that it is necessary for every one to know 
something about them. 


16 MytTHoLoay. 


Ques. Were the mythological fables invented 
by the poets? 

Ans. No; they were already current among’ 
the people before they wrote. These fables 
would, however, have been less completely known 
to us, had not the poets told them so beautifully 
in verse ; adding so many interesting details, that 
even now, every one reads them with pleasure, as 
pretty and fanciful stories. 

Ques. How did the belief in these false gods 
originate ? 

Ans. When mankind became generally corrupt, 
they lost the knowledge of the true God, and 
easily fell into idolatry. Some worshipped the 
sun and moon, and made divinities of other ob- 
jects. Others constructed a mythology as a me- 
dium for conveying religious or moral lessons, or. 
to illustrate the phenomena of nature. Besides 
this, men celebrated the actions of great kings 
and heroes, holding festivals in their honor, until 
at length they came to consider them as divini- 
ties. ; 

Ques. Were the Greek and Roman mythologies 
the same ? 

Ans. 'They were, to a great extent. The ancient 
Latins had undoubtedly. their own gods, and their 
peculiar superstitions, but they cannot be said to 
have had any regular mythology. When the Ro- 
mans received the arts and sciences from the 
Greeks, they adopted also their divinities, and’ 
their entire system of religion. 


MyrHoLoey. 17 


Ques. Did the Romans preserve the names of 

the Greek deities ? 
. Ans. No; these were generally changed. For 
example, the god known to the Greeks as Zeus, 
was worshipped by the Romans under the name 
of Jupiter. Deme’ter became Ceres; Poseidon, 
Neptune, etc. They also blended Greek and 
Latin fables. 

(Jues. Where do we find an instance of this ? 

Ans. In the story of Saturn, who is represented, 
in one portion of his history, as a monster devour- 
ing his own children, and again, as a beneficent 
king dispensing happiness to his people. We 
must account for this contradiction by supposing 
that the Romans blended the allegory of the 
Greek Chronos, (Time,) with traditions of their 
own divinity. 

Janus, Terminus, Bellona and Flora, were 
among the principal Italian deities. 

(ues. What idea had the ancient Greeks of the 
form of the earth ? 

Ans. They believed it to be flat and circular ; 
their own country occupying the central portion. 
They supposed that this circle was divided into 
two equal parts by the Mediterranean and Eux- 
ine seas. Hncompassing the earth was the River 
Ocean. It flowed in a steady, equal current; on 
the western side from north to south; on the 
eastern in a contrary direction. From this 
source, the seas and rivers of the earth received 
their waters. 


18 MyrsoLoey. 


To the North, arose lofty mountains, from 
whose deep caverns issued the cold winds which 
chilled the earth. Beyond, lay a blissful region 
where tempests were unknown, the earth brought 
forth her fruits without labor, and all was clothed 
in the beauty of eternal Spring. Here dwelt the 
Hyperboreans, a happy and innocent race, who 
were exempted from infirmity and disease, and 
knew nothing of the evils which aftilict the lives 
of ordinary men. To the extreme South were the 
Authiopians, a people equally happy and virtuous. 
The gods themselves often left their celestial 
abodes to share the sacrifices and the banquets 
of this favored people. The Greeks had also a 
tradition of happy isles beyond the western seas. 
This last idea may have had its origin in some 
imperfect account of the Canary Islands, which 
were certainly visited in very ancient times. 

We can see from this aceount that the Greeks 
knew little of any nations excepting those to the 
east and south of their own country, and near the 
coasts of the Mediterranean. Even the western 
portion of this sea was comparatively unknown. 
Hence they peopled it with giants, monsters and 
enchantresses ; and these imaginary beings fre- 
quently appear in mythological fable. 


AGES OF THE WORLD. 


Ques. What ideas did the ancient’ entertain 
with regard to the first inhabitants of the earth ? 


MyrHoLoay. 19 


Ans. They shared a tradition, which seems to 
have been universal, of a time of primeval inno- 
cence, when man dwelt in a peaceiul world, igno- 
rant alike of sorrow and of sin. ‘This was the 
Golden Age. Avarice and discord were un- . 
known ; men had not learned to slay animals for 
food, nor had the earth been disturbed by the 
plough. Neither the labors of the husbandman, 
nor the merchant’s traffic disturbed the joyous 
leisure of that happy time; no ships ploughed the 
seas, and the glittering steel rested harmless in the 
mine. Ovid thus describes the days of innocence : 


«The Golden Age was first, when man, yet new,/ 
No rule but uncorrupted reason knew, 
And, with a native bent did good pursue. 
Unforced by punishment, unawed by fear, 
His words were simple, and his soul sincere ; 
Needless was written law where none oppressed ; 
The law of man was written in his breast : 
No suppliant crowds before the judge appeared, 
No court erected yet, nor cause was heard, 
But all was safe ; for conscience was their guard. 
Ea * * * * * * 
No walls were yet, nor fence, nor moat, nor mound, 
Nor drum was heard, nor trumpet’s angry sound, 
’ Nor swords were forged ; but, void of care and crime, 
The soft creation slept away their time.” 


The Silver Age was far inferior to that of 
gold; but virtue still dwelt on earth, and the Im- 
mortals had not altogether departed from the 
abodes of men. Jupiter then divided the year 
into seasons, shortened the winter days, and let 
loose the northern’ blasts, so that men were 


20 MytTHonoay. 


obliged to build dwellings, and cultivate the un- 
grateful soil. 

Their first habitations were caves and grottoes, 
leafy coverts of the forest, or huts rudely con- 
structed of the trunks of trees and interwoven 
boughs. 

The Brazen Age came next ; men grew fierce and 
warlike, but were not as yet altogether impious. 

The Iron Age gave birth to all the calamities 
that afflict mankind. Avarice and violence reigned 
supreme ; men were not satisfied to till the earth, 
but dug into its hidden mines, and drew thence 
gold and iron, potent instruments of ill to man. 

The same poet says: 


‘«'Then land-marks limited to each his right ; 
For all before was common as the light. 
Nor was the ground alone required to bear 
Her annual income to the crooked share, 
But greedy mortals, rummaging her store, 
Digged from her entrails first the precious ore 
(Which next to hell the prudent gods had laid,) 
And that alluring ill to sight displayed. 
Thus cursed steel, and more accursed gold, 
Gave mischief birth, and made that mischief bold. 
And double death did wretched man invade, 
By steel assaulted, and by gold betrayed.” 

Dryden's Ovid. 


MOUNT OLYMPUS. 


Ques. Where were the gods supposed to dwell ? 
Ans. On the summit of Mount Olympus, in 
Thessaly. This mountain hides its head, covered 
with perpetual snows, in a belt of clouds. The 


MYTHOLOGY. 21 


Greeks imagined above these, a sublime abode 
reposing in eternal sunshine, and free from the 
storms which vexed the lower world. A gate of 
clouds, guarded by the goddesses of the seasons, 
opened to permit the passage of the Celestials 
when they descended to earth. Each god had 
his own dwelling, but all were obliged to repair, 
when summoned, to the palace of Jupiter. Even 
those deities whose usual abode was on the earth, 
in the waters, or in the lower shades, were com- 
pelled to assemble in Olympus at his command. 
Here they feasted on ambrosia and nectar, dis- 
coursed upon the affairs of heaven and earth, and 
were delighted at intervals by the music of Apol- 
lo’s lyre, and the songs of the Muses. 

Vulcan was smith, architect and chariot builder 
to the gods. He built their dwellings on Olym- 
pus, and constructed the furniture in so wonder- 
ful a manner, that the tripods and tables were 
endowed with motion, and ranged themselves in 
order without the aid of hands. The robes of the 
different divinities were wrought by Minerva and 
the Graces. Everything of a solid nature was con- 
structed of metal. 


THE GODS—DIFFERENT CLASSES 
OF DHITIES. 


Ques. Did the Greeks believe that the gods re- 
seinbled men ? 

Ans. Yes; in many Merce They sup- 
posed them to have the same passions, both gootl 


aT tt 


22, ee » MytioLoay. 7 


and evil. hey “were: a creMen yet conta suffer 
pain and receive wounds. Instead -of blood a 
fluid called ichor filled their veins.“ The deities 
resembled men also -in form,-but-they were, with 
some exceptions, of majestic stature and shone 
with celestial beauty. They could render them- 
selves invisible at will, and were otherwise en- 
dowed with supernatural powers. There was this 
restraint upon their wonder-working gifts: no 
divinity was permitted to reverse the act of an- 
other. For example, when an offended god sub- 
jected a mortal to some cruel transformation, no 
other deity, not even Jupiter himself, could undo 
the spell. 

(Ques. Into what classes were the gods divided ? 

Ans. Ancient writers differ in the classification 
of the Greek and Roman divinities. According 
to one division, which we will follow, the Celes- 
tial gods were: Jupiter, Apollo, Mars, Mercury 
and Bacchus. The goddesses were: Juno, Mi- 
nerva or Pallas, Venus, Aurora and Latona. 

To these higher divinities, Saturn, Janus, Vesta 
and others were sometimes added. There were 
also Terrestrial divinities, Gods of the Sea, Infernal 
deities, etc. ete. 






LIBRARY 


Ns = 


(LEINois 






CHAPTER I. 


GREEK AND ROMAN DIVINITIES, 


Celestial Gods. 
JUPITER, (Genk, Zeus.) 


Ques. Who was Jupiter ? 

Ans. He was the king and father of gods and 
men. He is generally represented as a majestic 
man with a beard, sitting on a throne of gold 
and ivory. He brandishes the thunder in his 
right hand; giants lie prostrate under his feet, 
and an eagle stands at his side. Jupiter is some- 
times called Jove, and as the eagle was sacred to 
him, it is often called the bird of Jove. 

Ques. Relate the story of Diony’sius and Jupi- 
ter’s cloak. 

Ans. The statues of this god were sometimes 
decorated with much magnificence. It is related 
that Diony’sius, the tyrant of Syracuse, visited a 
temple in Sicily, where he saw a statue of Jupi- 
ter arrayed in a mantle of wrought gold. This 
he took possession of, and ordered in its place a 
woolen cloak. Diony’sius justified the act on the 


24 MyrHoLoey. 


plea that the latter garment would be more com- 
fortable for the god at all seasons, as it was nel- 
ther so heavy in summer, nor so cold in winter. 

Ques. Of whom was Jupiter the son? 

Ans. He was the son of Saturn and Ops. Ac- 
cording to the fable;Saturn promised his brother 
Titan, that after his death, the latter should suc- 
ceed him in his kingdom. To ensure this, Titan 

made Saturn promise farther to destroy all his 
male children. In fulfillment of this engagement, 
Saturn devoured them as soon as they were born. 
Ops, or Rhea, his wife, succeeded in concealing 
Jupiter from him. She sent him secretly to Crete, 


where he was educated on Mount Ida, by the 


nymphs, or, according to some, by the priestesses 
of Cyb’ele. The goat which suckled him was 
placed afterwards amongst the constellations. 
Ops saved Neptune and Pluto in the same man- 
ner. 

Ques. What were Jupiter’s first exploits ? 

Ans. Titan was so much enraged against Saturn 
for failing to destroy all his male children, that 
he assembled the giants, generally called Titans, 
to avenge the injury. They overcame Saturn, 


and bound him with Ops, or Rhea, in hell.. Jupi- © 


ter conquered the Titans, and delivered his father 
and mother. He afterwards took up arms against 
Saturn himself, whom he overcame and banished. 
He then shared his power with his two brothers, 
Neptune and Pluto; to Neptune he gave the com- 
mand of his ships, and Pluto had charge of the 


~ 


JUPITER. 25 


mines. Jupiter lived in a strong castle or fortress 
on Olympus, a mountain in Greece. When in 
after times men worshipped Jupiter as a divinity, 
‘they naturally added Neptune as god of the sea, 
and Pluto as god of hell. 

Ques. Is it supposed then that Jupiter was a 
real personage ? 

Ans. Yes, it is probable that there was a wise 
and good king of this name, who really reigned 
in Greece, and did much good to his subjects by 
teaching them the arts of civilized life. After his 
death, as happened in other cases, they were not 
content with celebrating his memory as a man, 
but worshipped him as a divinity. In ancient 
times, there was a tomb shown in Crete, with this 
inscription : 

«« Here lies Jan, who was called Jupiter.” 


Ques. What do you say of the other fables in 
regard to Jupiter? 

Ans. They were invented at different times. 
Some are very absurd, and almost all attribute to 
Jupiter actions in the last degree base and crim- 
inal. 

Ques. Relate some of these fables. 

Ans. Jupiter was married to Juno, to whom he 
first appeared in the form of a crow. He con- 
stantly excited her jealousy by his admiration of 
mortal women, and this gave rise to many adven- 
tures, celebrated by the poets. 

Ques. What was the story of Euro’pa? 


26 MytTHoLoay. 


Ans. Jupiter was struck by the beauty of Eu- 
ro’pa, daughter of Age’nor, king of Phoenicia. 
He took the form of a snow-white bull, and min- 
gled with the herd that grazed in the meadow 
where the young princess was gathering flowers. 
Kuro’pa, attracted by the beauty and gentleness 
of the animal, caressed him, crowned him with 
flowers, and at length fearlessly mounted on his 
back. He immediately plunged into the sea, and 
carried her to the unknown shores of Europe, 
which was named from, her. 

Ques. On what was the story of Euro’pa prob- 
ably founded? 

Ans. It is probable that some sea captain, or 
pirate, was attracted by the beauty of the young 
princess, and carried her off. When her father 
grieved at her loss, the courtiers, and perhaps the 
oracles, pretended that it was a god who had 
taken her away. As this report was flattering to 
his pride, he would of course be pleased to hear 
it everywhere repeated. This, however, did not 
prevent Age’nor from making every effort to re- 
cover his lost child. 

(ues. Relate the story of Cadmus. 

Ans. Cadmus, the son of Age’nor, was ordered 
by his father to go in search of his sister Euro’pa, 
with the further injunction, that he should never 
return to his native land without her. The search 
proved fruitless, and Cadmus, not daring to ap- 
pear before his father, went to consult the oracle 
of Apollo as to what he should do. He was di- 


JUPITER. 27 


rected by the god to follow a young heifer, which 
he would meet in the fields, and to mark the place 
where she should lie down to rest. He was to 
build a city on that spot, and call the surrounding 
country Boeotia. Cadmus obeyed these instruc- 
tions; while preparing to offer sacrifice to Jupiter 
on the site of his intended town, the solemnity 
was interrupted by a terrible event. The attend- 
ants of Cadmus, in searching for water, had en- 
tered a grove sacred to Mars, which was guarded 
by a mighty dragon. On perceiving him, they 
turned to fly, but were either crushed in the ser- 
pent’s folds, or suffocated by blasts of the mon- 
ster’s fiery breath. Cadmus, awaiting their re- 
turn, and becoming impatient at the delay, pro- 
ceeded to the spot, and found his servants lifeless, 
while the dragon was basking at his ease upon 
the grass. The hero, aroused to vengeance, at- 
tacked the monster. <A terrible combat ensued, 
in which Cadmus, through the assistance of Mi- 
nerva, was victorious. As he gazed upon his ex- 
piring foe, he heard a frightful voice which threat- 
ened him with the vengeance of the god whose 
grove he had desecrated. Cadmus was at first 
dismayed, but Minerva told him to sow the drag- 
on’s teeth in the ground, and await the result. 
Where the teeth were planted, armed men im- 
mediately sprung up. Cadmus threw a stone 
among them, upon which they turned their wea- 
pons against one another, and continued to fight 


23 MytTHo.oey. 


until all were killed except five. These assisted 
the hero in building his city. 

Cadmus married Hermi’one, the daughter of 
Venus; they had four daughters, all of whom suf- 
fered persecution, either in their own persons, or 
in those of their children. Cadmus and Hermi’- 
one were so much aftlicted by the misfortunes of 
their descendants, that they petitioned the gods 
to deprive them of life. They were soon after 
changed into serpents. 

Ques. Relate the punishment of Lyca/on. 

Ans. During the Iron Age the wickedness of 
men had grown to such a height that Jupiter re- 
solved to satisfy himself of the truth of the re- 
ports that reached -him. For this purpose he 
descended to earth, and assuming the disguise of 
a poor traveller, sought hospitality of Lyca’on, 
king of Arcadia. The impious prince had just 
received an ambassador from the Molossians. 
He ordered him to be slain, and his flesh to be 
served for the entertainment of his guest. Jupi- 
ter was seized with indignation; he overturned 
the tables, destroyed the palace with lightning, 
and when the tyrant strove to fly, he was trans- 
formed into a savage wolf. 


CHAPTER IIL. 


PH@BUS—APOLLO. 


Ques. Who was Apollo? 

Ans. He was the son of Jupiter and Lato’na. 
This god was, with his twin-sister Diana, born at 
Delos, an island in which Lato’na had taken re- 
fuge from the anger of Juno. This goddess, jeal- 
ous of Lato’na, sent the serpent Python to de- 
stroy her. One of the first exploits of Apollo was 
to kill the Python with his arrows. 

Ques. How is this god generally represented ? 

Ans. AS a young man, comely and graceful. 
He wears a laurel crown over his flowing hair ; 
his garments are embroidered with gold; in his 
right hand he carries his bow, and bears on his 
shoulder a quiver filled with arrows. Apollo and 
his sister Diana presided respectively over the 
sun and moon. ‘The sun is often called Phoebus, 
or Apollo, and in ancient pictures the head of the 
god is represented as darting rays. Apollo, like 
other divinities, had many names. 

Ques. What was the cause of Apollo’s being 
driven from heaven ? 


30 MytTHoLoeay. 


Ans. He had a son named Aisculapius, who 
was so skilled in medicine that he was even able 
to restore the dead to life. Hippol’ytus, son of 'The- 
seus, king of Athens, was killed by sea-monsters. 
Zsculapius, by bringing him to life, so offended 
Jupiter that the latter killed him with a thunder- 
bolt. Apollo was much grieved, and, as he could 
not take revenge on Jupiter, he killed the Cyclops 
who forged the thunderbolts. For this reason 
Jupiter banished Apollo from heaven. 

(Jues. How did he occupy himself in his banish- 
ment ? 3 

Ans. He guarded the flocks of Admetus, king 
of Thessaly. Here he had the misfortune acei- 
dentally to kill Hyacinthus, a boy to whom he 
was much attached. Apollo mourned deeply for 
the youth, and caused a flower to spring from his 
blood, which is called the hyacinth. Cyparis’sus 
was also beloved by the god. The boy grieved 
so deeply at having unintentionally killed a favor- 
ite deer, that he begged Apollo to make his 
mourning perpetual. “The god heard his prayer 
and changed him to a cypress, the branches of 
which tree were always used at funerals. After 
many adventures and wanderings, Apollo was re- 
stored to the favor of Jupiter, and to heaven. 

Ques. What favor did Apollo confer on King 
Admetus ? | 

Ans. He obtained from the Fates, that when 
Admetus should be about to end his existence, 
his life might be prolonged, provided another 


APOLLO. 31 


died willingly in his stead. When the fatal day 
came, Alcestis, the wife of Admetus, devoted her- 
self to death for her husband. Admetus grieved 
so deeply at her loss that Proser’pine actually re- 
lented, but Pluto remained inexorable. Hercules, 
however, descended to the shades, and rescued 
Alcestis, who was restored to her husband. Euri- 
pides has founded one of his most beautiful trage- 
dies upon this story. 

Ques. Over what sciences did Apollo preside? 

Ans. He presided over physic, music, poetry, 
and rhetoric ; and the nine Muses were subject to 
him. He regulated the day by guiding the char- 
iot of the sun. 

(ues. What else is said of Apollo? 

Ans. Many absurd and impossible adventures 
are told. He seems to have been very vain of his 
musical skill, as we see from the punishment he 
inflicted on Mar’syas, and King Midas for com- 
ing in conflict with him on that point. 

Ques. Relate these stories. 

Ans. Apollo was challenged by Mar’syas to a 
contest in music. The god was not content with 
defeating the presumptious musician, but flayed 
him alive, and afterwards changed him into a 
river, which is still known by his name. 

The punishment inflicted on King Midas was 
not so cruel. This prince had the bad taste to 
declare his preference for fhe vulgar music of 
Pan, in a contest which that god had with Apollo. 
The insulted deity caused his ears to grow in 


32 MytTHoLoey. 


length and shape like those of an ass. Midas 
endeavored to cover the deformity by his hair, 
and since it was impossible to conceal it from his 
barber, he bound him to silence by great promises. 
This man, however, found it so painful to keep 
the secret to himself, that to obtain relief, he dug 
a little hole in the ground, and whispered it to 
the earth. What was his dismay at hearing the 
hollow reeds which grew upon the spot, whisper- 
ing, whenever the wind blew: “ King Midas has 
asses’ ears!” 

Ques. Is anything else related of King Midas? 

Ans. Yes; he had kindly and hospitably enter- 
tained Silenus, the preceptor of Bacchus, and in 
return, the god bade him choose any recompense 
he pleased... Midas demanded that whatever he 
should touch might be turned into gold. This 
prayer was granted, and he was at first overjoyed 
to see plants, stones and all around him trans- 
formed into glittering metal. He soon perceived 
his folly, however, for when, pressed by hunger, 
he tried to partake of the food placed before him, 
it was suddenly converted into gold, and when he 
would have quenched his thirst, the water was 
changed into a golden stream. Famished in the 
midst of plenty, Midas prayed the god to with- 
draw the fatal gift. Bacchus kindly consented, 
and ordered him to bathe in the river Pac’tolus. 
Midas obeyed, but the virtue which left his body 
was communicated to the waters of the stream, 
which was famous ever after for its golden sands, 


APOLLO. So 


Ques. Who was Pheeton ? 

Ans. He was the son of Phcebus and Clym’ene. 
At the earnest solicitation of his mother, he re- 
paired to the palace of the Sun for the purpose 
of having his parentage publicly acknowledged. 
The youth was kindly received, and Apollo 
swore by the Styx to grant him any favor he 
should ask. Phzton immediately prayed ‘that 
he might be allowed to drive, for one day only, 
the chariot of the Sun. Apollo tried to dis- 
suade him from his foolish wish, but in vain. 
The rash youth was not able to control the fiery 
horses of the Sun; they departed from their usual 
track, and heaven and earth were threatened with 
one universal conflagration. Jupiter perceived 
the danger, and struck Pheeton with a thunder- 
bolt. His body was hurled into the river Po, 
where it was found and buried by the nymphs of ; 
the place. As his sisters were weeping around his . 
tomb, they were changed by Jupiter into pop- | 
lars. ; 

Ques. Who was Daphne? 

Ans. A nymph beloved by Apollo: she was 
changed into a laurel while she was flying from 
the pursuit of the god. 

Ques. What things were especially sacred to 
Apollo ? 

Ans. Among plants, the laurel; among animals, 
the wolf; and among birds, the hawk, the crow, 
and the swan were sacred to this god. 


CHAPTER IY. 
MARS—ARES. 


Ques. Who was Mars? 

Ans. He was the son of Jupiter and Juno, and 
was worshipped as the god of war. 

(ues. How was he represented ? 

Ans. AS a warrior in splendid armor, standing 
in a chariot driven by Bello’na, a distracted 
woman, who holds a torch in her hand. Mars is 
fierce in aspect and brandishes a spear. Some- 
times Discord is represented going before him in 
tattered garments, while Anger and Clamor fol- 
low in his train. Fear and Terror are the horses 
which draw the chariot. 

(Ques. What animals were sacred to Mars ? 

Ans. The dog, on account of its sagacity in the 
pursuit of prey ; the horse, for its uses in war ; 
the wolf, for its rapacity and cruelty; the raven, 
because it follows armies, watching for the car- 
casses of the slain; and the cock, as an emblem 
of the vigilance which guards against surprise. 

Ques. What other names had Mars? 

Ans. He was called Quirinus when he was 
quiet, Gradi’vus when he was raging; therefore 


Mars. 7 35 


the Romans built him two temples, one to Mars 
Quirinus within the walls, that he might keep 
the city In peace; and one without, to Mars 
Gradi’vus, that he might defend them against 
their enemies. Among the Romans, priests called 
Salii attended to the sacrifices of Mars, and on 
festival days went about the city dancing with 
their shields. Their name comes from the Latin 
word “to dance,” and was considered appropriate, 
because Mars is inconstant in his temper, and 
inclines now to this side, now to that, in time of 
war. Except the story of his attachment to Ve- 
nus, the poets relate but little of Mars. 

Bellona, the goddess of war, was, according to 
some, the sister of Mars. She is generally repre- 
sented as above, but some poets have described 
her as rushing through the ranks of war, waving 
a flaming torch, and exciting the combatants. by 
her cries. The temple of Bellona at Rome, was 
without the city, near the Carmental gate. Here 
the Senate gave audience to such ambassadors as 
they were not willing to admit within the walls. 
A pillar stood before the temple, over which the 
herald cast a spear when he proclaimed war, 
The priests of Bellona, when officiating, held 
naked swords, with which they gashed their arms 
and shoulders, making libations of their own 
blood, to the terrible goddess. 


CHAPTER Y. 


MERCURY—HERMES. 


Ques. Who was Mercury ? 

Ans. He was the son of Jupiter and Ma/ia, the 
daughter of Atlas. On his mother’s account, sac- 
rifices ‘were generally offered to him during the 
month of May. 

Ques. How is Mercury represented ? 

Ans. As a young man of cheerful countenance, 
_ having wings fixed to his helmet and his sandals, 
and carrying a rod in his hand, which is also 
winged, and entwined with serpents. 

Ques. How are these different equipments 
named ? 

Ans. The rod was called Cadu’ceus, and pos- 
sessed a wonderful faculty for quieting all dis- 
putes. His helmet was called Pet’asus, and his 
winged sandals Talaria. 

Ques. What were the offices of Mercury? 

Ans. They were various; his most important 
function was to carry the commands of Jupiter. 
Mercury is commonly called the messenger of the 
gods. He also swept the room where the gods 
supped, and made their beds. 


MERCURY. 37 


Ques. What else is said of Mercury ? 

Ans. He was the inventor of letters, and ex- 
celled in eloquence. The Greeks worshipped him 
as the patron of orators, under the name of 
Hermes. Mercury was.also the inventor of weights 
and measures, and the patron of commerce. 

Ques. Were all his talents equally honorable. 

Ans. No; he was most skillful in the art of 
thieving. On the very day of his birth, he stole 
some cattle from King Admetus, although Apollo 
was keeping them; and while that god was bend- 
ing his bow against him, he contrived to steal his 
quiver. While yet an infant, he stole the tools of 
Vulcan, the girdle of Venus, and the sceptre of 
Jupiter. He intended also to steal Jove’s thun- 
derbolts, but was fearful they would burn him. 
Mercury was, therefore, the patron of thieves. 

Ques. Relate the history of Io and Argus? 

Ans. Io, the daughter of In’achus, was beloved 
by Jupiter. He strove to hide her from the anger 
of Juno by transforming her into a cow. The 
goddess suspected the deceit, and begged the 
beautiful heifer as a gift. Jupiter was afraid to 
refuse, and Juno consigned the unhappy Io to the 
suardianship of Argus. Escape seemed hopeless,. 
as Argus had a hundred eyes, of which he closed 
only two in sleep, while the others watched. Ju- 
piter commanded Mercury to slay Argus and de- 
liver Io. To effect this, it was necessary to set 
all his eyes to sleep. Mercury disguised himself 
as a shepherd, entered into conversation with Ar- 


38 MyrTHouoey. 


gus, and at length played so sweetly on his 
pipe, that, one by one, the keeper’s hundred eyes 
were closed. The god then drew. his falchion, 
and cut off the head of Argus with a single blow. 
Juno was grieved for her servant, and placed his 
eyes in her peacock’s tail. Io, still persecuted by 
Juno, wandered over the earth, and at length - 
arrived, faint and weary, on the banks of the Nile. 
There she prayed Jupiter either to restore her to 
her original form, or to terminate her misfortunes 
by death. Juno was touched with compassion, 
and allowed Jupiter to grant her request. Jo was 
restored to human form, and married to Osiris, 
king of Egypt; she was afterwards worshipped in 
that country under the name of Isis. 

The statues of Mercury were simply wooden 
posts, surmounted by a rude head with a poimted 
beard. They were set up in the fields, and at all 
cross roads. The Greeks had pillars of stone, 
which they called Herm, but the head which 
surmounted them was not always that of Mer- 
cury. These pillars were sometimes placed, by 
the Athenians, at the entrances of their houses as 
a protection against thieves. On one occasion, 
all the Hermze in Athens were mutilated in the 
same night. Alcibiades was accused of this sac- 
rilege, and was obliged to take refuge in Cergos, 
from the indignation of the people. 


CHAPTER VI. 
BACCHUS—DIONYSUS. 


Ques. Who was Bacchus? 

Ans. He was the son of Jupiter and Sem’ele 
and was worshipped as the god of wine. 

Ques. How is he represented ? 

Ans. AS a young man, crowned with ivy and 
grape leaves; he sits in a chariot, drawn some- 
times by panthers and lynxes, and sometimes by 
tigers and lions. He carries in his hand a thyr- 
sus—that is, a staff encircled by ivy and grape 
leaves ; a troop of demons and drunken satyrs 
follow him. 

Ques. What was the story of Sem’ele ? 

Ans. She was destroyed by the jealousy of 
Juno. This goddess visited Sem’ele in the shape 
of an old woman, and persuaded her to ask Jupi- 
ter to visit her with all the glory which encom- 
passed him in heaven. All happened as Juno 
desired, and Sem’ele was consumed by the light- 
nings which surrounded Jupiter. Bacchus did 
not share his mother’s fate, but was conveyed to 
Naxos, where he was educated by some nymphs. 


40 MyTHoLoey. 


Ques. How did Bacchus reward their care? 

Ans. He transformed them into the stars known 
as the Hyades. 

Ques. Who aided the nymphs in their care of 
Bacchus ? 

Ans. An old man named Silenus. He was con- 
sidered a demi-god. 

Ques. How is Silenus represented ? 

Ans. He seems to be the personfication of 
drunkenness; he is sometimes represented as 
seated intoxicated on a cask of wine, his head 
crowned with grape leaves, and his face stained 
with the lees of wine; sometimes as mounted on 
an ass, and following the car of Bacchus. 

Ques. What were the first exploits of Bacchus? 

Ans. He distinguished himself in the combats 
between the gods and giants, taking the form 
of a lion to strike terror into the latter. 

Ques. What other actions are attributed to 
him? 

Ans. He taught men how to plant the vine and 
till the ground. He is said to have subdued 
India, and many other countries of the East. 

Ques. How was he worshipped ? 

Ans. 'The goat and the hog were offered ‘to him 
in sacrifice ; and the ivy, the fir, the bindweed, 
the fig and the vine were consecrated to him. 

(ues. What feasts where held in his honor? 

Ans. The feasts of Bacchus were various. The 
Bacchanalia or Orgia were the most celebrated. 
They were at first participated in by women only, 


Baccuvs. 41 


but afterwards men were admitted to join in these 
rites. The women were called Bacchantes, and 
ran about with their hair dishevelled, shouting 
and singing in a distracted manner. ‘The Roman 
Senate at length abolished this festival. 

Ques. Relate the story of Pentheus? 

Ans. Pentheus was king of Thebes. He not 
only refused to acknowledge the divinity of Bac- 
chus, but endeavored to prevent the celebration 
of his orgies. Having presumed to intrude on 
the revels of the Bacchantes, they were seized by 
a sort of madness, and rushing upon the unhappy 
man, tore him to pieces. The mother of Pentheus, 
and her sisters, were the leaders in this act, which 
was considered to have been performed under a 
divine impulse. 

Ques. What was the punishment inflicted on 
Alcitho’e and her sisters ? 

Ans. These were Theban maidens who ridi- 
culed the orgies of Bacchus. During the celebra- 
tion of these rites, they remained at home, plying 
the distaff and the spindle, and singing over their 
tasks. For this, Alcitho’e and her sisters were 
transformed by the power of Bacchus into bats ; 
and the spindle and yarn with which they worked 
were changed to ivy. 

Ques. Relate the transformation of mariners 
into dolphins ? 

Ans. A ship touched at Chios for a supply of 
fresh water. The sailors who went on shore, 
found near the spring a boy of uncommon grace 


42, | Myrsovoey. 


and beauty. They bore him to the ship, still 
heayy with sleep and wine, and declared their in- 
tention of selling him at the next port. Acw’tes, 
their captain, tried to dissuade them from the 
crime, the more so, as he perceived that there 
was something more than mortal about the cap- 
tive youth. In the meantime Bacchus, for it was 
he, awaking from his slumber, begged the sailors 
to land him at Naxos. This the captain prom- 
ised, but when they had set sail, the mariners 
took possession of the ship, and steered in an- 
other direction. The god now revealed himself. 
The sails and cordage suddenly appeared hung 
with grapes and ivy; spotted panthers lay at his 
feet, and when the terrified sailors tried to leap 
overboard, they were suddenly changed into 
- dolphins. The captain was spared, and landed 
with Bacchus on the shores of Chios. 

Ques. What is the origin of the history of Bac- 
chus? 

Ans. He was probably some prince who taught 
the people to till the ground, and cultivate the 
vine. They disgraced his: memory in after times 


by the drunken revels they held in his honor, 


‘CHAPTER VIL. 
Celestial Goddesses. 


JUNO—HERA. 


Ques. Who was Juno? 

Ans. She was the daughter of Saturn and Ops, 
and was both sister and wife of Jupiter. 

Ques. How is she generally represented ? 

Ans. As seated in a golden chariot drawn by 
peacocks. She holds a sceptre in her hand, and 
is crowned with roses and lilies.. Iris was the 
messenger of Juno, as Mercury was of.Jupiter. 

(Jues. How is Iris represented ? 

Ans. With wings, because of her swiftness, and 
sometimes also as riding on a rainbow. 

Ques. How did Iris differ from Mercury ? 

Ans. Mercury was often employed in messages 
of peace; but Iris was frequently sent to promote 
strife and dissension. 

(Ques. What children had Juno ? 

Ans. Vulean, Mars and Hebe. Hebe was 
called the goddess of youth, on account of her 
extraordinary beauty, and Jupiter made her his 
cup-bearer. She offended him by an unlucky fall, 
and Ganymede was appointed in her place. 


44. MyrHonoay. 


Ques. What were Juno’s faults ? 

ns. She was very jealous, and took the most 
cruel revenge on the mortal woman whom Jupiter 
loved. She transformed Callista and her son 
Arcas into bears, and was extremely displeased 
when Jupiter placed them among the constella- 
tions. 

The goddess carried her complaint to Ocean‘us, 
bidding him to observe, when the shades of night 
should darken the world, how her rival was ex- 
alted. The god of Ocean was moved, and pro- 
mised Juno that he would never receive either 
Callista or her offspring in his watery domain. 
Hence it is, that the Greater and the Lesser Bear 
continually circle around the pole, and never sink, 
like the other stars, beneath the waves of ocean. 
In the fables of Bacchus and Hercules, Juno dis- 
plays the same character, extending to these 
heroes the enmity she bore their mortal mothers. 

Juno was chiefly honored at Argos, Samos and 
Platza. The victims offered to her were kine, 
ewe lambs, and sows. ‘The cow was consecrated 
to her, and at Argos the priestess of Juno always 
rode in a chariot drawn by oxen. The sacred 
plants of the goddess were, the willow, pome- 
granate, the dittany and the lily. The peacock 
was chosen as the bird of Juno, because it was 
supposed by its cry to indicate a change of wea- 
ther. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


MINERVA—PALLAS ATHENA. 


Ques. Who was Minerva? 

Ans. She was the goddess of wisdom and of 
war. She had no mother, but sprang full armed 
from the head of Jupiter. 

Ques. How is Minerva represented ? 

Ans. As clothed in complete armor. She has 
a golden helmet on her head, holds a lance in her 
night hand, and her left rests upon a shield to 
which is affixed the head of Medusa. The 
cock and the owl are also represented on the 
shield. 

Ques. Why was Minerva said to have sprung 
full armed from the head of Jupiter ? 

Ans. The poets signify by this, that wisdom 
comes direct trom the deity. 

Ques. Why is Minerva sometimes crowned 
with olive? 

Ans. Because the clive is the emblem of peace, 
and war should only be made that a secure peace 
may follow; also because she bestowed the olive 
on men. | 


46 MYTHOLOGY. 


Ques. On what occasion did Minerva give the 
olive to men ? 

Ans. When Cecrops built a new city, Neptune 
and Minerva contended about its name; and it 
was resolved that whichever of the two deities 
should confer the most useful gift on man, might 
give a name to the city. Neptune struck the 
ground with his trident, and a horse appeared ; 
but Minerva caused an olive to spring out of the 
earth. The latter was judged the more useful 
gift; and Minerva named the city, calling it 
Athe’na or Athens, after her own name in Greek. 

Ques. What was the Palladium ? 

Ans. When the Trojans were building the tem- 
ple and castle of Minerva in Troy, a statue of 
the goddess fell from heaven into the castle, 
which was still unroofed. The oracle of Apollo 
declared that Troy would be safe so long as this 
statue, called Palladium, from Pallas, a name of 
Minerva, remained within the walls. When the 
Greeks besieged Troy, they found that all their 
efforts to take the city were of no avail; they de- 
termed, therefore, to steal the Palladium. Ulys- 
ses and Diom’edes crept into the city through the 
common ‘sewers, and brought away the image. 
‘Troy was soon afterwards taken and destroyed. 
Minerva was a virgin, and was the patroness of 
modest and virtuous women. 

Ques. Did Minerva excel only in the art of 
war? 

Ans. No; she invented the distaff and spindle, 


MINERVA. AT 


and excelled in every branch of female industry. 
The fate of Arach’ne shows how much she prized 
her reputation for skill in embroidery. 

(ues. Who was Arach’ne ? 

Ans. She was a maiden of Lydia, who had the 
presumption to challenge Minerva to a trial of 
skill in weaving. The goddess wrought into her 
work the most beautiful designs, but it would 
seem that Arach’ne’s performance surpassed hers : 
for Minerva, seeing it, was fired with envy, and 
struck the unhappy maiden on the face with her 
shuttle. Arach’ne could not endure this insult, 
and hung herself from a beam. Minerva immedi- 
ately changed her into a spider, and permitted 
her to live only that she might weave -unceas- 
ingly. 

(Jues. Why was the owl chosen as the bird of 
Minerva ? 

Ans. because this bird sees in the dark; and 
wisdom distinguishes what is hidden from com- 
mon eyes. 

Ques. What is the story of Medu’sa’s head? 

Ans. Medusa was one of three sisters, the 
daughters of Phorcus. These maidens were 
called Gorgons, and were all immortal, except 
Medu’sa. The latter was at one. period distin- 
guished for her personal beauty, and particularly 
for her flowing hair; but having offended Miner- 
va, that goddess changed her locks into serpents, 
and rendered her appearance so frightful that all 
who beheld her were changed to stone. The 


48 MytTHonoay. 


hero Perseus undertook an expedition against the 
Gorgons, and as he saw the whole country around 
covered with figures of men and animals changed 
into stone by the sight of the monster, he was 
obliged to use great precaution to avoid the same 
misfortune. He looked, therefore, not at Medu’- 
sa, but at her reflection in his polished shield, and 
when he perceived that she was asleep, Minerva 
guiding his. sword, he struck off her head. Mer- 
cury had lent Perseus his wings, and as he flew 
over the Lybian desert bearing Medu’sa’s head, 
the blood fell upon the burning sands, and pro- 
duced the serpents which have ever since infested 
that region. From the blood of Medu’sa, also, 
when her head was cut off, sprang the famous 
winged horse called Peg’asus. This wonderful 
steed flew to Mount Helicon, the residence of the 
Muses, where, by striking the earth with his foot, 
he produced the fountain Hippocre’ne. All who 
drank of its waters were inspired by the Muses 
with a poetic spirit. Perseus went through many 
other adventures in which Medu’sa’s head did 
him good service, by changing his enemies into 
stone. He afterwards gave the head to Minerva, 
who fixed it on her shield. 


CHAPTER IX. 
VENUS—APHRODITE. 


Ques. Who was Venus? 

Ans. She was the goddess of love and beauty. 
She sprang from the froth of the sea; for this 
reason the Greeks called her Aphrodi'te, from 
Aphros, meaning foam. As soon as she was born, 
she was placed like a pearl in a shell instead of a 
cradle, and the god Zephyrus (the west wind) 
wafted her to the shores of Cyprus. 

(Jues. By whom was she educated ? 

Ans. She was educated and adorned by the 
Horze or Hours, who carried her to heaven as soon 
she became of age. All the gods were astonished 
at the beauty of Venus, and many. demanded her 
in marriage; but Jupiter betrothed her to Vulcan, 
an ugly and deformed divinity. 

Ques. How is Venus represented ? 

Ans. Sometimes as a young virgin rising from 
the sea, or riding on the waves in a shell, while 
Cupids, Nereids and Dolphins are sporting 
around her—again, she is pictured as traversing 
the heavens in an ivory chariot drawn by doves. 


50 MyrrHoLoey. 


She wears a wonderful girdle called the Cestus ; 
her doves are harnessed with golden chains, and 
Cupids flutter around her on silken wings. 
Venus is always crowned with roses. 

Ques. What was there remarkable in the Ces- 
tus of Venus ? 

Ans. It had the property of conferring grace, 
beauty, and irresistible attractions on the wearer. 

Ques. Where had Venus temples ? 

Ans. In many places. The most celebrated 
were at Paphos, Cytherea, Idaha and Cnidos. 

Ques. Who were the companions of Venus ? 

Ans. The Graces were her attendants, and she 
was generally accompanied by her son Cupid, 
who was the god of love. 

(Jues. How is Cupid represented ? 

Ans. As a beautiful boy with wings, carrying a 
bow and arrows; he has sometimes a band over 
his eyes to show that love is blind. 

Ques. What do you say of the festivals of Ve- 
nus ? 

Ans. They were various, and accompanied by 
much that was disgraceful and immoral. The 
swan, the dove, and the sparrow were sacred to 
this goddess; and among plants, the rose, the 
myrtle and the apple. Incense, fruits and flow- 
ers were the ordinary sacrifices laid on her altars; 
but birds were sometimes offered. 

Ques. What remarkable temple was raised to 
‘Venus in Rome? 

Ans. There was a temple dedicated to Venus 


VENUS. 51 


Calva, or the Bald; because when the Gauls be- 
sieged Rome, the inhabitants made ropes for 
their military engines with the long hair of the 
Roman women. 

Ques. On what occasion was the prize of 
beauty adjudged to Venus? 


Ans. All the gods and goddesses had been in- ) 
vited to the marriage of Peleus and Thetis, Dis- 


cordia, or Discord being the only one excluded. 
This goddess was determined to revenge the 
slight; she entered secretly, when all were as- 
sembled, and threw among them a golden apple 
on which was written: “Tor the fairest.” A 
violent quarrel immediately arose between the 
goddesses, for each believed herself to be the 
most beautiful. Juno, Minerva, and Venus dis- 
puted so eagerly, that Jupiter himself was not 
able to bring them to an agreement. He re- 
solved, therefore, to refer the matter to the deci- 
sion of Paris, who was then feeding his sheep on 
Mount Ida. This prince was the son of Priam, 
king of Troy. An oracle had foretold before his 
birth that he was destined to cause the destruc- 
tion of his native city. He was, therefore, ex- 
posed on Mount Ida, where he was found and 
cared for by some shepherds. After he had 
erown up, he acquired a great reputation for the 
prudence with which he settled the most difficult 
disputes ; hence the difference between the god- 
desses was referred to his decision. When they 
appeared before him, they began to court his 


= - 
+- 


‘. 
% 


52 MytTHooay. 


favor with promises. Juno offered him great 
power; Minerva, wisdom; but Venus promised 
to give him for a wife the most beautiful woman 
in the world. Paris then pronounced Venus the 
fairest. He was soon after acknowledged by his 
father, King Priam; and Venus fulfilled her en- 
gagement by aiding him to carry off Helen, the 
beautiful wife of Menela’us, king of Sparta. This 
gave rise to the total destruction of Troy; and 
the prediction of the oracle with regard to Paris 
was accomplished. 
- Ques. What was the story of Hippo’menes and 
Atalanta ? 
Ans. Atalanta was the daughter of King Ce- 


~ neus, and was equally renowned for her beauty 


and her swiftness in running. As an oracle had 
declared that marriage would be fatal to her, she 
freed herself from the importunity of her suitors 
by a singular expedient. She caused it to be pro- 
claimed that any one who sought her hand should 
contend with her in running, with the understand- 
ing that she would marry him who should excel 
her in the race, but that those who were beaten 
should suffer death. Hard as were these condi- 
tions, many suitors presented themselves, but 
they were all unsuccessful, and were put to death 
without mercy. -Hippo’menes determined to un- 
dertake the race, but first, he had recourse to 
Venus. This goddess*gave him three golden ap- 
ples gathered in the garden of the Hesper’ides, 
and directed him as to their use. When Hippo’- 


VENUS. 53 


menes saw that Atalanta was going to outstrip 
him in the race, he threw down a golden apple; 
the princess paused to admire and take up the 
glittering fruit, while Hippo’menes passed on. A 
second and a third time did he try the same expedi- 
ent, and with such success that he reached the 
goal and won his bride. Hippo’menes was un- 
grateful to Venus, who revenged herself by chang- 
ing him into a lion, and the beautiful Atalanta into 
a lioness. 

Ques. Who was Adonis ? 

Ans. He was a beautiful youth, the son of 
Cin'yras, king of Cyprus, and was beloved by 
Venus. He was killed by a wild boar, while 
hunting with that goddess. Venus grieved much 
for her favorite. To commemorate his cruel fate 
she caused the flower anemone to spring from 
his blood. 

According to the poets, the rose was formerly 
white. When Venus was hastening to the assist- 
ance of Adonis, her foot was af cape a thorn, 
and some drops of blood fell upon that flower, 
which then assumed its present crimson hue. 

Ques. Who were the Graces ? 

Ans. They were inferior goddesses, who pre- 
sided over the banquet, the dance and all social 
enjoyments and elegant arts. 

Ques. How many were there? @ 

Ans. They were threein number. Their names 
were Kuphro’syne, Agla/ia and Thalia. They 
are represented as beautiful young women, stand- 
ing in graceful attitudes with their hands joined. 


CHAPTER X. 
LATONA—LETO. 


Ques. Who was Latona? 

Ans. She was the daughter of Phoebe and Coeus 
the Titan. When she was driven from heaven by 
the jealousy of Juno, she found an asylum in the 
island of Delos, where she gave birth to Apollo 
and Diana. ‘Terra (the earth) had promised Juno 
to give no shelter to her rival, but the island of 
Delos formerly floated in the sea, and was at 
that time hidden under the waters. Neptune, 
pitying the forlorn state of Latona, caused it to 
emerge from the sea, when it became fixed and 
immovable for her use. 

Ques. Relate the transformation of Lycian 
peasants into frogs. 

Ans. Latona, while wandering with her babes 
in the country of Lycia, in Asia, arrived, ex- 
hausted by heat and fatigne, on the borders of 
a clear pool. She was about to quench her thirst 
in the cool watefs, when some clowns rudely hin- 
dered her. She begged them to have compas- 
sion, and not deny her so small a refreshment ; 


LATONA. 55 | 


but they mocked her prayers, and when she tried 
to approach they waded into the pool, and, stir- 
ring up the mud, defiled the waters so that it 
became unfit to drink. The goddess was so much 
incensed, that she changed the cruel rustics into 
frogs, and condemned them to dwell forever in the 
muddy pool. 

The punishment of Niobe will be related in’ 
another place. The sufferings of the giant Tity- 
us in hell, were also the penalty of an insult of- 
fered to this goddess. 

The Greeks personified Night, under the name 
of Latona; hence she was said to have been the 
first wife of Jupiter, the mother of Apollo and 
Diana, (the sun and moon) and the nurse of the 
earth and stars. The Egyptians had the same 
allegory, with a little variation, as, according to 
them, she was grandmother and nurse of Horus 
and Bu’bastis, their Apollo and Diana. 

This goddess is generally represented on an- 
cient monuments, as a large and beautiful woman, 
wearing a veil. In paintings, the veil is always 
black ; in cutting gems, artists sometimes availed 
themselves of a dark colored vein in the stone, to 
produce the same effect, and represent the shades 
of night. The veil is sometimes studded with 
stars. 


CHAPTER XI. 
AURORA—EOS. 


Ques. Who was Aurora? 

Ans. She was the goddess of the morning and 
sister of the sun and moon. She is represented — 
as seated in a golden chariot drawn by milk-white 
horses ; her countenance is brilliant, and her fin- 
gers are red like roses. 

Ques. What did this represent? 

Ans. The beauty of the morning heavens. 

Ques. Relate the story of Ceph’alus and Pro- 
cris. 

' Ans. Ceph’alus, a beautiful youth, was beloved 
by Aurora, who carried him with her to heaven ; 
but he regarded the goddess with indifference, and 
insisted on returning to his young wife Procris. 
Aurora allowed him to depart, but prevailed on ~ 
him to visit his house in disguise, that he might 
judge of the constancy of his bride. Ceph’alus 
found his wife lamenting his absence and refus- 
ing all consolation, but when she discovered her 
husband in the supposed stranger, she was s0 
indignant at his suspicion that she fled from him 
and joined the attendants of Diana. She was 


_ AURORA. 57 


afterwards reconciled to Ceph’alus, and gave him 
two presents which she had received from Diana. 
These were, a dog that was always sure of its 
prey, and an arrow which never missed its aim, 
and returned immediately to the hand of the 
owner. Ceph’alus was extremely fond of hunting, 
and when fatigued, he often rested in the shade 
and invited the presence of “Aura,” or the re- 
freshing breeze. This word was mistaken for 
the name of a nymph by some persons who car- 
ried the tale to Procris. Being jealous in her 
turn, she determined to watch, and discover her 
rival. When Ceph’alus returned from hunting, 
Procris concealed herself in the grove ; she started 
upon hearing the name Aura, and caused a rust-, 
ling among the leaves. Ceph’alus immediately 
threw his unerring dart, which returned to his 
hand stained with the blood of his beloved wife. 
He hastened to the spot, but it was too late, and 
Procris expired in his arms, acknowledging she 
had fallen a victim to her own groundless jealousy. 

Ques. To whom was Aurora married ? 

Ans. She chose for her husband Titho’nus, the 
son of Laom’edon, king of Troy. This prince 
was endowed with wonderful beauty; but when 
Aurora begged of Jove that he might be exempted 
from death, she forgot to ask at the same time 
for the bloom of immortal youth. When Titho’/- 
nus became old and decrepit, Aurora still watched 
over him with the tenderest care, “ giving him 
ambrosial food and fair garments.” When ‘Ti- 


58 MyrTHoLoay. © 


tho'nus could no longer move his aged limbs, 
and his feeble voice was scarcely heard, the 
goddess was moved with compassion, and changed 
him into a grasshopper. } 

— Ques. Who was Memnon ? 

. Ans. He was king of the Ethiopians, and son 
of 'Titho’nus and Aurora. When Troy was be- 
sieged, Memnon came with an army to aid the 
kindred of his father. In the first engagements 
he slew Antil’ochus, the son of Nestor, and tleew 
the whole army of the Greeks into disorder. Ach’- 
illes, however, appeared on the field, and changed 
the fortune of the day. The Trojans were routed 
in their turn, and Memnon fell by the hand of the 
Grecian hero. Aurora watched the combat from 
the heavens, and when she saw Memnon fall she 
directed the winds to convey his body to the 
banks of the river Aise’pus in Paphlagonia. Here 
they raised his tomb in a sacred grove, and his 
obsequies were celebrated with solemn pomp. 
The sparks, as they rose from the funeral pyre, 
were changed into birds, which divided into two 
flocks, and fought together until they fell into the 
flames and were consumed. According to the 
poets, Aurora was never consoled for the loss 
of her son; she mourns unceasingly, and the 
drops which sparkle in the morning on the grass 
and flowers are the tears which the goddess con- 
tinues to shed during the long hours of night. 
Ancient history mentions many persons of the 
name of Memnon, particularly a general who dis- 


AURORA. 59 


tinguished himself in Persia against Alexander the 

Great. The Memnon of fable was in all probabil- 

. ity an Egyptian, and not an Ethiopian king. His 
pens is still an object of curiosity to travellers. 

Ques. Where is this statue, and for what is it 
remarkable ? 

Ans. It is one of two colossal figures which are 
directly opposite the great temple of Luxor. 
They are called by the Arabs, Shama and Dama. 
The statue of Memnon is the more northerly of 
the two, and was formerly celebrated for its vocal 
powers. 

It is commonly asserted by ancient writers, 
that when the first rays of the rising sun fell upon 
this statue, it acknowledged the presence of Au- 
rora, and uttered a sound like the sudden break- 
ing of a harp-string. By some, it was compared 
to a blow struck on hollow brass. 

Ques. Was there any foundation for such a 
belief ? 

Ans. It appeared quite certain that the sounds 
of which we have spoken, were really heard from 
this statue at sunrise ; the only question is as to 
the means by which they were produced. The 
Colossus, although in a sitting posture, measures 
fifty-two feet in height, and the throne on which 
it rests is thirty feet long and eighteen broad. 
These dimensions were sufficient to admit of 
any internal machinery that might be required to 

produce the mysterious sounds. Such was the 
supposition of the Persian king Cambyses, who 


60 MyTHo.oey. 


had the statue cleft asunder from the head to 
the middle of tle body, but without discovering 
anything. Humboldt conjectured that the sound 
might be attributed to the nature of the stone, or 
to the action of the sun’s rays upon the air con- 
fined in the cavities of the statue. A much more 
reasonable solution of the mystery has been fur- 
nished by Mr. Wilkinson, an intelligent English 
traveller. He discovered in the lap of the statue 
a stone, which, on being struck, emits a metallic 
sound. There is a hollow space hewn in the 
block behind this stone, sufficiently large to ad- 
mit of a person lying within it, entirely con- 
cealed from observation. Mr. Wilkinson tried the 
experiment, and was convinced that he had dis-_ 
covered the secret of this famous statue. ~~ 

- The face of the Memnon, like that of the Sphinx, 
has been mutilated by the Arabs; the positions. 
of the figures which are yet uninjured show that 
the whole must have presented a beautiful and 
imposing appearance. The base of the throne is 
covered with ancient inscriptions in Greek and 
Latin, commemorating the visits of different illus- 
trious persons, and testifying that they had heard 
the mysterious voice of Memnon. 


CHAPTER XII. 
Terrestrial Gods. 


SATURN. 


Ques. Who was Saturn ? 

Ans. He was the son of Ccelum and Terra. 
He was married to Ops, or Rhea, and was the 
father of Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto. As we 
have already learned, Saturn devoured the rest of 
his male children. 

(Jues. How is he represented ? 

Ans. Saturn is represented as an old man 
armed with a scythe, which signifies that time 
mows down everything in its course; and he 
holds in his hands an infant which he is about to 
devour, because time destroys all that it brings 
forth. 

Ques. How did Saturn lose his kingdom ? 

_ Ans. He was deposed by Jupiter, and was 
obliged to take refuge in Italy, where he taught 
the people the arts of civilized life. Janus, king 
of Italy, made Saturn partner of his kingdom, and 
that part of the country was called Latium, from 
a Latin word which meant to hide; it was some- 
times also called Saturnia. Saturn’s government 


62 MyrTnouoey. 


was so wise and beneficial that his reign was 
called the Golden Age. The poets tell us that 
all men then lived on a perfect equality, property 

was held in common, and the earth brought forth 
its fruits without labor. 

(ues. What sacrifices were offered to Saturn ? 

Ans. He was worshipped with human sacrifi- 
ces, which seems strange when we consider that 
he was so mild a king. The planet Saturn was 
supposed by the ancients to exercise a malignant 
influence. 

(ues. What were the Saturnalia? 

Ans. They were solemnities instituted by Tul- 
lus Hostilius, king of Rome. In early times the 
festival lasted one day, but after Julius Cesar, 
it was prolonged to three, four, or five days. 

Ques. How were these days observed ? 

Ans. They were a season of general rejoicing 
the Senate did not sit, schools gave holidays, 
and friends sent presents to one another. It was 
unlawful to proclaim war or execute criminals 
during this festival. Servants might, at this time, 
say what they pleased to their masters, who could 
not take offence ; also, in memory of the freedom 
and equality enjoyed in Saturn’s reign, they sat 
at table while their masters served, and reproved 
the latter freely if they were guilty of any awk- 
wardness. Lastly, servants and common people 
were allowed to wear purple cloaks, a distinction 
reseryed at other times to the patricians. The 


SATURN. 63 


Saturnalia is probably represented in some de- 
gree by the modern Carnival. Saturn is thought 
by some persons to have been the same as 
Noah. 


JANUS. 


Ques. Who was Janus ? 

Ans. He was an ancient Italian deity, of whose 
origin very contradictory accounts are given. 
He'was supposed to have reigned in Italy in the 
time of Saturn, and to have associated that god 
with him in the kingdom. He was generally 
represented with two faces, and was called hence, 
Junus Bifrons. He had many *emples in Rome. 
The gates of the chief temple, that of Janus Qui- 
ri‘/nus, were always open in time of war, and 
closed when the Romans were at peace. It is 
a remarkable circumstance that the gates of 
Janus were closed but three times in seven hun- 
dred years. ‘They were shut for the first time in 
the reign of Numa; again, after the first Punic 
war; and Augustus closed the temple the third 
time when he had given peace to the world. 
This occurred just before the coming of our Lord. 
The first month of the year is named from Janus. 


CHAPTER XIII. 


VULCAN—HAPHZSTUS. 


Ques. Who was Vulcan? 

Ans. He was the son of Jupiter and Juno, but 
was cast down from heaven on account of his 
‘deformed appearance. He landed in Lemnos, 
but broke his leg in the fall, and remained lame 
ever afterwards. 

Ques. How was Vulcan represented ? 

Ans. As a smith standing by an anvil with 
tools in his hand. 

Ques. What was his occupation ? 

Ans. He had a blacksmith shop in Lemnos, 
were he manufactured Jupiter’s thunderbolts, 
and the arms ofthe other gods. Vulcan was the 
god of fire, and the patron of blacksmiths and 
armorers. 

(ues. What were the most celebrated works of 
Vulcan? 

Ans. The armor of Achilles and of Ai’neas, the 
beautiful necklace of Hermi’one, the crown of 
Ariadne, and the brazen palace of the sun. The 
shield of Ach/illes was enamelled with metals 


VULCAN. 65 


of various colors, and embossed with beautiful 
historical designs. 

Ques. To whom was Vulcan married? 

Ans. YVulean was married to Venus, but that 
goddess behaved treacherously towards him and 
attached herself to Mars. 

Ques. Who were the servants of Vulcan ? 

Ans. 'The attendants of Vulcan were called Cy- 
clops, because they had each one eye in the mid- 
dle of the forehead; they were the offspring of 
Neptune and Amphitri'te. 

Ques. How was Vulcan worshipped ? 

Ans. The Romans celebrated feasts in his 
honor called Vulcania. At these they sacrificed 
animals by throwing them into the fire to be 
burned to death. The Athenians also kept feasts 
of Vulcan, and there was in Sicily, upon Mount 
Etna, a famous temple dedicated to him. 

Ques. What was peculiar about this temple ? 

Ans. The approach to it was guarded by dogs, 
whose scent was so keen that they could discover 
whether the persons coming to the temple were 
virtuous or wicked. To the servants of Vulcan 
might be added Cacus, who stole the oxen of Her- 
cules; and the robber Cx’culus, from whom the 
noble Roman family of the Cczecilii derived their 
name. He was the founder of the city of Praneste. 
One fable is, that certain shepherds found Cz’cu- 
lus, when an infant, lying unhurt in a glowing 
fire, from which circumstance he was supposed 
to be the son of Vulcan. The shepherd, Polyphe- 


66 Myrnowoey. 


mus, resembled the Cyclops, and was, like them, 
a son of Neptune. The monster devoured several 
of the companions of Ulysses, but the hero, hay- 
mg made him drunk with wine, put out his sin- 
gle eye with a firebrand and escaped. He em- 
barked in haste, pursued by the monster; his 
companions shouted defiance as they weighed an- 
chor, and the blind Cyclops, directed by the sound 
of their voices, hurled a rock into the sea, by 
which their vessel was almost swamped. Warned 
by this danger, they rowed silently until they 
reached the open sea. Some writers have ima- 
gined that the Cyclops were a race of miners, 
who, descending into the deep recesses of the 
earth, and coming forth again, had a lamp at- 
tached to their foreheads, to give them light. 
This, at a distance, would appear like a large, 
flaming eye, and might give rise to the fable of 
one-eyed monsters. This explanation is, however, 
far fetched and improbable. 

Ques. Can you name any works of Vulean, be- 
side those already mentioned ? 

Ans. Yes, he made for Alcinots, king of the 
Pheacians, gold and silver dogs which guarded — 
his house. To Minos, king of Crete, he gave the 
brazen man Talus, who passed around the island 
three timer every. day, to guurd it from invasion. 
For himself, Vulcan formed golden handmaidens, 
whom he endowed with reason and speech. 


CHAPTER XIV. 


ZZOLUS. 


Ques. Who was At’olus? 

Ans. He was the god of the winds; he could 
imprison them in a dark cave, or, by setting them 
free, create tempests. 

Ques. What was the origin of this fable? 

Ans. It is believed that Af/olus was a skillful 
astronomer who dwelt in a voleanic island. By 
noticing the clouds of smoke, and how they rose, 
he was enabled to foretell storms a long time be- 
they happened ; hence the ignorant believed that 
he could bring high winds and tempests when- 
ever he pleased. 


MOMUS. 


Ques. Who was Momus? 

Ans. He was the son of Night and Sleep ; the 
name Momus signifies a jester. His occupation 
was to criticise the other gods, and censure their 
actions. 

(Jues, Give an example? 


68 MytTHoLoay. 


Ans. Neptune, Vulcan, and Minerva contended 
for the prize of skill; Neptune made a bull, Mi- 
nerva a house, and Vulcan a man. Momus was 
called upon to decide their merits, but he 
blamed them all. He said that Neptune was im- 
prudent in not placing the bull’s horns in his 
forehead, before his eyes, that he might give a 
stronger and surer blow. He found fault with 
Minerva’s house, because it was immovable and 
could not be carried away if it were placed 
among bad neighbors. He said that Vulcan was 
the worst of all, because he did not put a window 
in the man’s breast so that his thoughts might be 
seen. No god could escape the censure of Mo- 
mus. When he could find nothing to criticise in the 
person of Venus, he complained of the noise made 
by her golden sandals. Momus was at length 
driven from Olympus. 


CHAPTER XyV. 
Terrestrial Goddesses. 


VESTA—HESTIA. 


Ques. Who was Vesta? 

Ans. She was the daughter of Saturn and Ops 
or Rhea, and was, therefore, the sister of Jupiter. 
She was considered the guardian of homes and 
firesides, and was a household divinity. Statues 
of Vesta were placed by the Romans at the en- 
trance of their houses; hence the word vestibule, 
which we still use. 

Ques. How is Vesta usually represented ? 

Ans. As seated on the ground, and leaning upon — 
a drum, -while various domestic animals are 
grouped about her. 

Ques. What was the character of this goddess? 

Ans. She was esteemed very holy, and was the 
patroness of household virtues. When Jupiter 
asked her to choose whatever gift she would, 
Vesta desired that she might remain always a vir- 
gin, and receive the first oblations in all sacrifices. 
Fire was the emblem of this goddess, and in her 
temple, at Rome, a sacred fire was suspended in 


70 VESTA. 


the air, and watched by the Vestal Virgins. If 
this fire chanced to be extinguished, all public 
and private business was suspended until the ac- 
cident had been expiated. 

Ques. What laws existed with regard to the 
Vestal Virgins ? 

Ans. The penalties for neglect of their duties 
were severe. If the sacred fire was extinguished 
through their negligence, they were sometimes 
cruelly punished, and if any Virgin infringed the 
rule which forbade her to marry, she was buried 
alive; being shut up in a vault underground, with 
a lamp, and a little bread, wine, water and oil. 
The sacred fire of Vesta was watched by these 
priestesses for nearly eleven centuries. We are 
told that during this period, twenty Vestals were 
condemned to death. Of these, seven were per- 
mitted to take their own lives, thirteen guffered 
the terrible punishment we liave described. The 
last execution of this kind took maces in the reign 
of the emperor Domitian. 

Ques. What were the privileges of the Vestal 
Virgins ? 

Ans. In recompense for these severe laws, the 
Vestals were treated with extraordinary respect. 
They had the most honorable seats at games and 
festivals, and even the consuls and magistrates 
gave them precedence ; their testimony was taken 
in trials without any form of oath, and if they 
happened to mect a criminal going to execution, 
he was immediately pardoned. Public documents 


MYTHOLOGY. val 


of great importance were generally entrusted to 
their care. 

A striking instance of the respect felt for these 
Virgins, is related by a Roman historian. Ap- 
pius Claudius Audax, a consul who had rendered 
himself obnoxious to the people, was attacked in 
the midst of a triumphal procession by the ple- 
beian tribunes, who endeavored to pull him from 
his chariot. His daughter, who was a Vestal 
Virgin ascended the triumphal car, and took her 
place by her* father’s side. The tumult immedi- 
ately subsided, and the procession proceeded 
quietly to the capital. 

Ques. Low many Vestal Virgins were there ? 

Ans. The number has been variously stated. 
Some authors mention six, others seven, as the - 
number actually in office. They were chosen be- 
tween the ages of six and ten ; for ten years they 
were employed in learning their duty; they re- 
mained in office for ten, and ten other years were 
employed in instructing the novices. Ifthere were 
seven Vestals always in office, the entire number 
must have been twenty-one. The thirty years 
being ended, the Vestals returned to their families. 
The law then permitted them to marry, but it was 
considered discreditable to do so. 


CHAPTER XVI. 
CYBELE. 


Ques. Who was Cyb’ele? 

Ans. This goddess, sometimes called by the 
Greeks, Rhea, and by the Latins, Ops, is consid- 
ered to be a personification of the earth. She is 
goddess, not of cities only, but of all things which 
the earth contains. She was the daughter of 
Coelum, and the wife of Saturn. 

Ques. How was Cyb’ele represented ? 

Ans. Generally as riding in a chariot, drawn by 
lions. She wears a turreted crown, and is clothed 
in a many-colored mantle, on which are repre- 
sented the figures of various animals. In her 
right hand she holds a sceptre, and in her left, a 
key. This last emblem seems to signify that the 
earth locks up her treasures in the winter season. 
Cyb’ele is always represented with the dignified 
and matronly air which distinguishes Juno and 
Ceres. 

(Jucs. How was she worshipped ? 

Ans. Sacrifices were first offered to this goddess 
in Phrygia and Lydia. Her temples were gener- 


CYBELE. 13 


ally built on the summits of mountains; that on 
Mount Dindymus near Pessi‘nus, in Galatia, was 
particularly celebrated. Her statue in this tem- 
ple was simply a large aerolite which had fallen in 
the vicinity, and was regarded by the people as 
the heaven-sent image of their great goddess. At 
the close of the second Punic war, the Romans, 
directed, it is said, by the Sibylline books, sent an 
embassy to Attalus, king of Pergamus, requesting 
that he would permit the so-called image to be re- 
moved to Rome. The monarch consented, and 
the sacred stone was carried in triumph to the 
Italian capital. There it was placed in a stately 
temple built for the purpose, and a solemn festi- 
val, called Megalesia, was celebrated annually, in 
honor of Cyb’ele. During these solemnities, priests 
called Galli and Corybantes ran about like mad- 
men, with cries and howlings, making, at the same 
time, a terrific noise with the clashing of cymbals, 
the sound of pipes and other instruments. In 
their frenzy, they cut their flesh with knives, and 
performed many other extravagances, but the 
people regarded them with reverence, as they were 
believed, while in this state, to possess the gilt of 
prophecy. 

The divinity worshipped by the Roman women 
under the name of Bona Dea, or Good Goddess, is 
believed to be the same as Cyb’ele. 

Ancient writers relate an extraordinary incident 
connected with the arrival of the image of Cyb’ele 
in Rome. The ship which bore the sacred stone 


74 MyrTHo.woey. 


was stranded on a shoal in the Tiber. Claudia, a 
Vestal Virgin who was suspected of having violat- 
ed her vow, attached her girdle to the prow, and 
drew the ship safely into port. Her innocence 
was established by this prodigy. 


CHAPTER XVIL. 


CERES—DEMETER. 


Ques. Who was Ceres ? 

Ans. She was the daughter of Saturn and Ops, 
and was worshipped as the goddess of fruits and 
corn. It is supposed that she first invented and 
taught the art of tiling the earth, and sowing 
wheat and other grains, so that men ate whole- 
some bread, where before they had lived on roots 
and acorns. 

Ques. How is Ceres represented ? 

Ans. As a beautiful and majestic woman, with 
golden hair, and crowned with ears of wheat; in 
her right hand she holds poppies and ears of corn, 
and in her left, a flaming torch. 

Ques. Explain these emblems. 

Ans. The hair of Ceres is golden, to represent 
the color of ripe corn; she holds a lighted torch, 
because when her daughter Proser’pine was sto- 
len by Pluto, Ceres kindled a torch from the 
flames of Mount Etna, to light her on her search 
throughout the world. She holds a_ poppy, 
because when she was so grieved that she could 


76 MYTHOLOGY. 


neither rest nor sleep, Jupiter gave her a poppy 
to eat. 

Ques. Relate the story of Proser’pine (Perse’- 
phone). 

Ans. None of the goddesses were willing to 
marry Pluto, or share his gloomy kingdom. He 
determined, nevertheless, to obtain a wife, even if 
he had to do so by violence. Proser’pine, the 
daughter of Jupiter and Ceres, was gathering daf- 
fodils with her companions in the plains of Enna, 
when Pluto suddenly appeared among them in a 
chariot drawn by black horses. As the maidens. 
fled in terror, he seized Proser’pine, and striking 
the waters of the fountain Cy’ane with his trident, 
he opened a passage, through which he descended 
with his prize. Ceres, ignorant of what had oc- 
curred, wandered through the world in search of 
her daughter. At length, arriving at the fountain 
of Cy’ane, she perceived the girdle of Proser’pine 
still floating on its waters; and the nymph Are- 
thusa informed her of what had taken place. Ce- 
res repaired immediately to Olympus, where she 
made her complaint to Jupiter, and demanded 
that Pluto should restore her daughter. Jupiter 
promised to grant her request, in case Proser’pine 
should not have tasted food in the infernal re- 
gions. Ceres descended thither, and Proser’pine 
prepared joyfully to accompany her mother, when 
Ascal’‘aphus reported that he had seen her eat 
some seeds of pomegranate. The hopes of Ceres 
were thus destroyed, but Proser’pine was so in- 


CERES. 17 
cignant at the treachery of Ascal’aphus, that she 


changed him immediately into an owl. Jupiter 
endeavored to appease the resentment of Ceres by 
permitting Proser'pine to divide the year, spend- 
ing six months with her mother on earth, the 
other six with Pluto in the infernal regions. 

(ues. What were the most famous solemnities 
instituted in honor of Ceres ? 

Ans. The Hleusian or Eleusinian Mysteries. 
They were named from Eleusis, a town in Greece 
where they were celebrated. 

Ques. What rites were practiced during these 
mysteries ? 

Ans. We cannot tell with any certainty. The 
penalty of death was decreed against any one who 
should betray the secret, or even witness the cere- 
monies without having been regularly initiated. 
Disclosures were made, however, which seem to 
prove that the person to be initiated was first in- 
troduced into a dark subterranean cave, where he 
was terrified with the most fearful sights and 
sounds. After this, if his courage did not fail, he 
was suddenly introduced into a lovely garden, and 
the ceremonies concluded with feasting and danc- 
ing. 

(ues. Who were admitted to these rites? 

Ans. Athenians only; but Hercules, to whom 
no one dared refuse anything, was initiated, and 
after him, other distinguished foreigners were ad- 
mitted to what were called the Lesser Mysteries. 
The Athenians were eager to be admitted to these 


78 MyrHoioay. 


rites, because they believed that the souls of those 
who had not been initiated were left to wallow in 
mud and filth in the lower regions. 

Ques. What do the early Christian writers say 
of these mysteries ? 

Ans. They speak of them as being almost as 
immoral as the festivals held in honor of Bac- 
chus. 

(Ques. Who is said to have instituted them ? 

Ans. Triptol’emus, the foster-child of Ceres. 

Ques. Relate the story of Triptol/emus. 

Ans. When Ceres was seeking Proser’pine by 
sea and land, she was kindly entertained by Ce- 
leus, king of Eleusis,in Attica. She rewarded his 
hospitality by taking care of his young son, whom 
she nourished during the day with celestial food ; 
but in the night, she covered him with fire. Un- 
der this extraordinary treatment, the infant, in a 
few days, became a beautiful young man. His 
mother, Meganira, wondered at this, and resolved 
to discover the cause. She watched Ceres at 
night, and when she saw her covering Triptol’e- 
mus with living coals, she cried out in terror, and 
rushed into the room to save him. Ceres pun- 
ished her curiosity with death, but she adopted 
Triptol’emus, and sent him through the world to 
teach mankind the.use of corn. He executed the 
commands of Ceres, and wherever he went, in- 
structed men in sowing, reaping, and other arts 
of husbandry. ‘Triptol’/emus is usually represent- 


CERES. 79 


ed as a young man, seated in a splendid chariot 
drawn by flying serpents. 

Ques. What sacrifices were offered to Ceres? 

Ans. Young heifers, swine and ears of corn; 
wine, milk and honey were used in the libations. 

Ques. What were the Ambarvalia ? 

Ans. They were feasts kept in the beginning of 
harvest, preparatory to reaping. The animal to 
be offered in sacrifice, was led around the fields, 
the husbandmen and country rustics following 
with shouts and songs. Virgil says of these festi- 
vities : 

Let ev’ry swain adore her power divine, 

And milk and honey mix with sparkling wine ; 
Let all the choir of clowns attend this show, 
In long procession, shouting as they go ; 
Invoking her to bless their yearly stores, 
Inviting plenty to their crowded floors. 

Thus in the spring, and thus in summer’s heat, 
Before the sickles touch the rip’ning wheat, 
On Ceres call ; and let the lab’ring hind 

With oaken wreaths his hollow temples bind ; 
On Ceres let him call, and Ceres praise, 


With uncouth dances, and with country-lays. 
Gzore. I. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 
THEMIS—ASTR#MA—NEMESIS. 


Ques. Who was Themis? 

Ans. She instructed both gods and men, and 
was generally considered the goddess of law and 
justice. Her origin is uncertain; but she is said 
to have been a Titaness. 


Ques. Who was Astree’a? 

Ans. She was also goddess of justice ; accord- 
ing to some, she was the daughter of Jupiter and 
Themis. When the Titans took up arms against 
Jupiter, Astra’a descended to earth, and mingled 
with the human race. This intercourse was un- 
interrupted during the Golden Age; in the Silver 
Age, Astre’a dwelt in the mountains, and descend- 
ed only amid the shades of evening, when she was 
unseen by men. When the Brazen Age com- 
menced, she fled altogether from the human race, 
being the last among the Immortals to abandon 
the earth. Jupiter then changed her into the 
constellation Virgo, one of the signs of the zodiac. 
This constellation is represented by the figure of 
a woman holding scales in one hand, and a sword 


NEMESIS. | 81 


in the other. The scales have been variously ex- 
plained, but they are generally supposed to be an 
emblem of justice. According to some, Erigo’ne, 
a maiden who hung herself in despair, at the death 
of her father, was changed into the constellation 
Virgo. 

Ques. Who was Nemesis ? 

Ans. She was the daughter of Night, and the 
goddess of just vengeance. It was her office to 
follow and punish guilty men. She had wings, 
but generally went on foot, which signifies that 
the punishment of crime, although sure, is gener- 
ally slow. An ancient poet says : 


‘Vengeance divine to punish sin moves slow ; 
The slower is its pace, the surer is its blow.” 


Ques. What do you say of the temple of Nem’- 
esis at Rhamnus? 


Ans. This temple was but a short distance from 
the plain of Marathon. The Persians had brought 
with them a great block of Parian marble for the 
trophy which they intended to erect in honor of 
their expected victory. This marvle fell into the 
hands of the Athenians, and a sculptor, said by 
some to have been Phidias, afterwards carved 
from it a beautiful statue of Nem/esis, which was 
placed in the temple of Rhamnus. A fragment 
was found in the ruins of this edifice, which is sup- 
posed to be the head of this statue; and has been 
presented as such to the British Museum. 


CHAPTER XIX. 


THE MUSBH5S. 


Ques. Who were the Muses ? 

Ans. They were the daughters of Jupiter and 
Mnemo’syne, and were supposed to preside over 
the liberal arts and sciences. 

(Ques. How many Muses were there? 

Ans. They were nine in number, and-+each pre- 
sided over some particular department of litera- 
ture, art or science. ‘ Their names were: 

Calliope, who was the Muse of epic poetry; 
she holds in her hand a roll of parchment, or a 
trumpet. 

Clio presided over history. She holds a half 
opened scroll. 

Melpo’mene was the Muse of tragedy. She 
leans on a club, and holds a tragic mask. 

Kuter’pe was the patroness of music. She 
holds two flutes. 

Jiy’ato inspired those who wrote of love. She 
piays on a nine-stringed lyre. 

Terpsich’ore presided over choral dance and 
song. She appears dancing, and holds a ‘seven- 
shringed lyre. 


Tur Muvszs. 83 


Ura/nia, the Muse of astronomy, holds a globe, 
and traces mathematical figures with a wand. 

Thalia, the Muse of comedy, holds in one hand 
a comic mask, in the other a crooked staff. 

Polyhym’nia presided over eloquence. She 
holds her fore-finger to her lips, or carries a scroll. 

The Muses are sometimes represented as crowned 
with palms, and seated in the shade of an arbor, 
playing upon different instruments; or again, as 
dancing in a circle with joined hands, while 
Apollo is seated in their midst. 

Ques. How have some writers accounted for the 
number of Muses? ~ 

Ans. They say that in ancient times there were 
but three Muses. The citizens of Sicyon em- 
ployed three sculptors to execute statues of these 
goddesses, promising to choose from among the 
nine images, those which they should consider the 
most beautiful. When the statues were finished, 
they were found to be so skillfully wrought, that 
it was impossible to make a choice. They were 
all placed in the temple, and the poet Hesiod af- 
terwards assigned them names and attributes. 

Ques. What punishment did the Muses inflict 
on the nine daughters of Pierus, king of Aima- 
thia ? 

Ans. These maidens challenged the Muses to a 
contest in music ; they were defeated and trans- 
formed into magpies by the indignant goddesses. 
Tham’yris, a musician of Thrace, was struck blind 
for the same offence. 


CHAPTER XX, 


Gods of the Woods, and Rural Deities. 


PAN. 


Ques. Who was Pan? 

Ans. He was a woodland deity, and was hon- 
ored by the Romans as the god of shepherds and 
the patron of fishing and fowling. The Latins 
sometimes called him Incubus or the “ Nightmare,” 
and at Rome he was worshipped as Lupercus, or 
Lynceus. His origin is uncertain, but he is said by 
some authors to have been a son of Mercury and 
a nymph of Arcadia. 

Ques. How is Pan represented ? 

Ans. As half man, and half goat, having a hu- 
man head ornamented with horns, and a garland 
of pine: he holds in one hand a crooked staff, and 
in the other'a pipe of uneven reeds. The music 
which he made on this rude instrument was so 
sweet as to cheer the gods. 

Ques. What famous action is related of Pan? 

Ans. When the Gauls, under their King Brennus, 
made an irruption into Greece, and were about to 
plunder the temple of Apollo at Delphi, Pan 
suddenly showed himself, and so terrified them 


was 


Rurau DEIrtzs. 85 


that they fied in disorder. Hence it comes that 
any sudden and unreasonable terror which 
spreads through an assemblage of persons, partic- 
ularly an army, is called a panic. 
Ques. What was the origin of Pan’s reeds? 
Ans. A beautiful nymph, named Syrinx, was so 
persecuted by this god, that she prayed the water- 
nymphs to help her, and change her into reeds, 
which they did. Pan saw the transformation, and 
was much grieved. He took some of the reeds 
away for a remembrance. On applying them to 
his lips, he found they produced the most melo- 
~ dious sounds, so that he formed them into a rus- 


tic pipe. Milk and honey were offered to Pan. 


SATYRS AND FPAUNS. 


(Jues. Who were these ? 

Ans. They were hideous monsters who dwelt in 
forests, and were, like Pan, half man and half 
goat. 


TERMINUS. 


Ques. Who was Terminus ? 

Ans. He was the god of boundaries. His 
statue was only a square stone, or a painted log of 
wood. It is probable that the Romans did not 
suppose Terminus to be a person, but only used 
the name as another term for justice, which for- 
bids any one to trespass on another’s boundaries. 


86 MyTHouoay. 


Landmarks and boundary stones were consid- 
ered sacred by the Romans; they were crowned 
with garlands on festivals, offerings were laid upon 
them, and it was death for any one to remove one. 
When Constantine embraced Christianity, and 
placed the cross on his standard, he replaced these 
Terminal stones by the Christian emblem, and the 
custom of erecting wayside crosses, which be- 
came afterwards almost universal, is said to date 
from this epoch. 

Terminus had a temple on the Tarpeian rock. 
It is said that when Tarquin the Proud wished 
to build a temple to Jupiter on the spot, the god 
of boundaries refused to give way. 


VERTUMNUS. 


Ques. Who was this deity? 

Ans. He is generally reckoned as one of the 
rural divinities, and was worshipped as such by 
the ancient Sabines. The name comes from the 
Latin word verto, (to turn or change,) and was 
bestowed upon him in allusion to his power of 
taking any form he pleased. Vertumnus presided 
over the seasons ; he was the husband of Pomona. 
Statues of this god were erected in every town of 
Italy. His festival, called Vertumnalia, was kept 
in October. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


Goddesses of the Woods. 
DIANA. 


Ques. Who was Diana? © 

Ans. She was the daughter of Jupiter and La- 
tona, and the twin-sister of Apollo. This god- 
dess had three names. On earth she was called 
Diana, and was honored as the goddess of woods 
and hunting; in heaven she was called Luna, and 
was identified with the moon, as her brother 
Apollo was with the sun. In hell, she was called 
Hec’ate, and as spirits were supposed to be sub- 
ject to her, she was invoked under the latter name 
in all magical incantations. 

Ques. What were the habits of Diana? 

Ans. She shunned the society of men, and fre- 
quented the woods, attended by a train of virgins 
* who had resolved, like her, never to marry. 

Ques. Who were the attendants of Diana? 

Ans. Sometimes the Ocean‘ides or daughters of 
Ocean’'us; sometimes the woodland nymphs. 
Diana often led a chorus of the Muses and 
Graces, and joined them in singing the praises of 
her mother Latona. 


88 Rurat DEIrtss. 


Ques. How is Diana represented ? © 

Ans. As a very stately and beautiful woman, 
dressed in the garb of a huntress; she holds a 
bow in her hand, and a quiver of arrows is hung 
across her shoulders. Her feet are covered with 
buskins, and a bright silver crescent glitters on 
her forehead. Sometimes she is represented as 
seated in a silver chariot drawn by hounds. 

Ques. Who was Chi’one ? 

Ans. She was. a nymph beloved by Apollo. 
She spoke scornfully of the beauty of Diana, and 
the goddess, in revenge, pierced her tongue with an 
arrow. 

Ques. Relate the story of Ni’obe. 

Ans. She was the daughter of Tan’talus, and the 
wife of Amphi’on, king of Thebes. She was en- 
riched with all the gifts of nature and fortune, and 
being made insolent by prosperity, she insulted 
Latona, and refused to offer incense at her 
shrine. Ni’obe had seven beautiful sons, and as 
many lovely daughters, and had boasted of their 
number as rendering her superior to Latona. 
The indignant goddess called upon Apollo and 
Diana to revenge the insult offered to their 
mother, and humble the haughty Ni’ obe. This 
they effected by slaying, in one day, all the chil- 
dren of the unhappy queen. Her sons expired by 
the arrows of Apollo, and her daughters by those 
of Diana. Amphi’on killed himself in despair, 
and the wretched Ni’obe, widowed and childless, 
wept without ceasing until the pitying gods 


Tue Nympus. 89 


changed her into stone. This story has furnished 
the subject of a very beautiful group of statuary, 
in which Ni’obe is represented as vainly endeav- 
oring to shelter, beneath her mantle, the youngest 
and last of her children. 

Ques. Where was the most celebrated temple of 
Diana? 

Ans. At Ephesus in Asia Minor; it was so 
beautiful that it was counted among the seven 
wonders of the world. Two hundred and twenty 
years were spent in the building, although an 
incredible number of workmen were employed. 
The entire length of the temple was 425 feet, 
and the breadth 220; the whole was supported by 
127 superb columns, each the gift of a king. The 
statue of the goddess was of ebony, and the most 
skillful painters and sculptors were employed in 
the decorations of the edifice. 

A man named Erostratus, who was anxious to 
make himself famous, by whatever means, set fire 
to this magnificent building. This event took 
place on the very day on which Alexander the 
Great was born. 

The temple was but partially destroyed, and 
was soon afterwards restored to its former splendor. 
The inhabitants of Ephesus seem to have been 
particularly attached to the worship of Diana. 
We read in the Acts of the Apostles that when 
they began to make converts in that city, the peo- 
ple were very indignant; in their zeal for their 
goddess they ran about the streets for the space 


90 MytHoLoey. 


of about two hours, crying, “Great is Diana of 
the Ephesians !” 

This temple was despoiled by Nero, who re- 
moved many costly offerings and images, together 
with a large quantity of silver and gold. It was 
afterwards plundered by the Goths in the reign 
of Gallienus; and the materials of the building 
have been since used in the construction of other 
edifices. The great dome of Santa Sophia, in 
Constantinople, rests upon pillars of green jasper 
which were removed from the temple of Diana by | 
order of Justinian. | 

Two pillars of the great church of Pisa were 
also taken from this temple, which has been so 
completely destroyed that the exact site is not 
known. 


NYMPHS. 


Ques. Who were the Nymphs? 

Ans. They were graceful young women who 
attended on Diana and the greater goddesses. 
Some, also, had charge of certain fountains and 
rivers, and were called Na‘iades; the nymphs of 
Ocean were Ne'reides and Ocean‘ides. The 
Ore‘ades were mountain nymphs, and others pre- 
sided over groves and even single trees. 

(Jues. What were the woodland nymphs called? 

Ans. Those who watched over the forests, and 
always lived among the trees, were called Dry’ades, 
from a Greek word which means an oak; the 
Hamadry'ades were so called because they were 


Tur Nympus. 91 


attached, each to some particular oak. Tho 
Hamadryad was born with the tree, flourished 
and died with it. This belief lingered for a long 
time amid the German forests, as also the super- 
stition about water spirits. 

(Jues. What was the story of Arethusa? 

Ans. This nymph was the daughter of Ocean’us, 
and an attendant of Diana. She was admired by 
the god of the river Alphe’us, but refuse to listen 
to his addresses. As she fled from his presence, 
he pursued. The terrified nymph had sped 
through all Arcadia; the shades of evening were 
gathering, and Alphe’us pressed close upon her 
fainting steps. In this extremity, Arethusa 
prayed to Diana for relief, and was immediately 
dissolved into a afountain. Alphe’us resumed his 
watery form, and sought to mingle his current 
with hers, but Diana opened for her a passage 
under the sea, and she rose in the island of Orty- 
gia, m Sicily, still followed by the stream of the 
Alphe’us. In proof of this fable, and of the Gre- 
cian origin of this famous fount, it was asserted 
that a cup which fell into the river Alphe’us in 
Greece, rose in the fountain of Arethusa, and that 
its clear waters were reddened with the blood of 
the victims slain at the Olympic games. 

Ques, Who was Echo? 

Ans. Echo was a nymph, the daughter of Air 
and Tellus; she was one of Juno’s attendants, 
but offended that goddess by her talkativeness. 
She was so far deprived of speech, that she could 


92 MytTHoLoay. 


only repeat the last words of every sentence which 
she heard. Echo loved the youth Narcissus, and 
seeing that he despised her affection, she pined 
away till nothing remained of her but her voice 
and bones. The latter were changed into stones, 
but the voice is still heard among rocks and in 
solitary places, repeating always the last words 
that are spoken. | 

Ques. What was the fate of Narcissus ? 

Ans. One legend is that he saw his image re- 
flected in a fountain, and, not perceiving that it 
was but his own shadow, gazed at it, lost in ad- 
miration, until he was changed into the flower 
that bears his name. According to another ver- 
sion, Narcissus had a twin-sister who resembled 
him closely in form and feature, and was his 
constant companion. This sister died young; 
and Narcissus, deeply lamenting her death, used 
to go to a neighboring fountain, and try to recall 
the image of his sister by gazing at his own re- 
flection in the waters. 

Ques. Were there many rural divinities ? 

Ans. Yes, a great number ; but only a few were 
well known. Among those we may mention 
Pomona, the goddess of orchards, and Flora, the 
eoddess of flowers. Pales was the goddess of 
shepherds and pastures. The Romans celebrated 
feasts, called Pallia, in her honor. They offered 
milk, and cakes of millet, that she might drive 
away the wolves, and prevent diseases among the 
cattle. 


CHAPTER XXIL 
Gods of the Sea. 


NEPTUNE—POSHIDON. 


Ques. Who was Neptune? 

Ans. He was the son of Saturn and Ops, and 
was worshipped as the god of the sea, and the 
father of rivers and fountains. 

(Ques. How is he represented ? 

Ans. As standing upright in a chariot made of 
a sea-shell; for a sceptre, he holds a trident, that 
is, a fork with three barbed tines ; he is arrayed 
in a blue mantle, and is generally accompanied by 
his queen Amphitri‘te. Neptune’s chariot is 
drawn by sea-horses, and his attendants, who 
swim on either side, are human only to the waist, 
the body terminating like that of a fish. When- 
ever Neptune’s chariot moved upon the waters, 
the sea grew calm, and tempests were appeased. 

Ques. What were the offices of Neptune? 

Ans. He “conducted ships safely to port, and 
presided over horse-races. | 

Ques. Why was he supposed to preside over 
horses ? 


94. MyTHoLoey. 


Ans. In memory of his contest with Minerva, 
when he produced a horse by striking on the 
eround with his trident. Neptune was obliged 
by Jupiter to aid Apollo in building the walls of 
Troy. 

Ques. How was Neptune worshipped ? 

Ans. Neptune had an altar in the Circus at 
Rome where sacrifices were offered, and plays 
were acted, representing the carrying off of the 
Sabine women. The solemn games in honor of 
this god were called Consualia, and were cele- 
brated in the month of March. While these last- 
ed, horses were released from work, and mules 
were adorned with garlands. 

Ques. Who were the most remarkable of Nep- 
tune’s children ? 

Ans. Triton, and Phorcus or Proteus. 

(Jues. What is told of Phorcus ? 

Ans. He was vanquished by Atlas, and drowned 
in the sea; after which the people worshipped 
him asa god. There was another Phorcus who 
had three daughters, concerning whom a remark- 
able circumstance is related. The sisters had but 
one eye for their common use; each one wore it 
in turn, in the middle of her forehead. They 
were the guardians of the Gorgons, of whom Me- 
dusa was one. The hero Perseus, when about to 
attack Medusa, visited them, and, watching his op- 
portunity, while one of the sisters was handing 
the eye to the other, he snatched it from her, and 
left all three in darkness. 


GODS OF THE SEA. 95 


Ques. For what was Proteus remarkable ? 

Ans. For his power of transforming himself in- 
stantaneously into any shape he wished. 

Ques. Who was Triton ? 

Ans. He was the son of Neptune and Amphi- 
tri/te, and was his father’s companion and trum- 
peter. The upper half of his body was like that 
of a man, but below the waist he resembled a fish ; 
his tail was cleft and crooked, and his hair resem- 
bled wild parsley. 

Ques. What other sea-monsters were celebrat- 
ed? 

Ans. The Sirens, also Scylla, and Charybdis. 

Ques. Who were the Sirens ? | 

Ans. They were monsters who had the faces 
of women, but the bodies of flying-fish ; they dwelt 
near the promontory of Peloris, or in islands 
called Sirenuse, south of Italy. By the magical 
sweetness of their singing, they allured all who 
sailed by those coasts; and after they had lulled 
them into a trance, drowned them in the sea. 

Ques. What was there remarkable in the songs 

of the Sirens ? 
_ Ans. They blended the notes of different mu- 
sical instruments with their voices, and adapted 
the style and matter of their songs to the inclina- 
tion of their hearers. They had bold and stirring 
strains to entice the ambitious, softer melodies for 
the lovers of pleasure, and with still different 
notes, they drew on the covetous to their destrue- 
tion. 


96 MyrTHonoey. 


Ques. Did any escape who passed those coasts? 
Ans. History mentions only two; Ulys’ses and 
Orphe’us. The first was warned against the dan- 
“ger by the enchantress Circe; he therefore 
stopped the ears of his companions with wax, and 
had himself firmly bound to the mast of the ship, 
by which means he passed the fatal coasts in 
safety. Or’pheus overcame them in their own art ; 
for he sang the praises of the gods, accompanying 
himself upon his lyre, and made such divine mel- 
ody thai the music of the Sirens attracted no at- 
tention. The Fates had decreed that the Sirens 
should live until some one who passed by, had lis- 
tened to their songs unmoved. When they saw 
themselves overcome by Or’pheus, they knew that 
their hour had come, and flung themselves head- 
long into the sea, where they were transformed 
into rocks. 

Ques. Who was Circe ? 

Ans. She was a skillful enchantress. Having 
poisoned her husband, the king of the Sarmatians, 
she was obliged to fly into Italy, where she fixed 
her dwelling on the promontory Cireeeum. She 
presented to all travellers an enchanted cup; and — 
after they had drunk, transformed them into 
wolves, swine or other animals. Ulys’ses escaped 
by throwing an herb into the cup, which rendered 
it powerless ; he then rushed upon the sorceress 
with his sword, and forced her to restore his com- 
panions whom she had transformed. After this, 
Circe entertained Ulys’ses in a friendly manner, — 


GoDS OF THE SEA. 97 


Ques. What did the poets endeavor to teach by 
the fables of the Sirens’ song, and the cup of 
Circe ? 

Ans. They wished fo signify by the singing of 
the Sirens, the allurements of vice, and the dan- 
gers of listening to its seductions ; by the story of 
Circe, they showed that when men drink of the 
cup of sensual pleasure, they become soon degrad- 
ed to the level of the beasts. 

Ques. Who was Scylla? 

Ans. The fable relates that she was the daugh- 
ter of Phoreus, and that she was transformed by 
the jealousy of Circe, into a frightful monster. 
Scylla was so much grieved by this transforma- 
tion, that she cast herself into the sea, where she 
was changed into a rock, made famous by the 
many shipwrecks that occurred upon it. Over 
against this rock is the whirlpool of Charybdis, 
about which the poets relate a similar fable. 
They say that Charybdis was a very ravenous 
woman, who stole Hercules’s oxen. For this theft, 
Jupiter struck her dead with a thunderbolt, and 
changed her into the whirlpool which bears her 
name. ‘The ancients placed Scylla and Charybdis 
in the straits of Messina. It was considered a 
ereat feat to steer successfully between them. 

Ques. Who-was Melicertes ? 

Ans. He was the son of Athamas, king of 
Thebes, and of Ino, the daughter of Cadmus 
and Hermi/one. Ino offended Juno, and the 
goddess, in revenge, deprived Athamas of 
reason. The king, in his frenzy, took the 





98 MytTHoLoey. 


queen and her children for wild beasts, and pur- 
sued them through the palace. He killed his son 
Learchus by dashing him against a wall, but 
Ino escaped, and threw herself into the sea with 
Melicertes in her arms. At the intercession of 
Venus, Neptune endowed them both with immor- 
tality. Ino became a sea-goddess .under the 
name of Leucothea, while Melicertes was wor- 
shipped as Palemon. He was supposed to have 
power in saving vessels from shipwreek, and was, 
therefore, invoked by mariners. The Romans 
called him Portunus, and houored him as the god 
of shores and harbors. 

(Jues. Who was Thetis? 

Ans. She was a sea-goddess, the daughter of 
Nereus and Doris, and sister of the Nere’ides. 
She was endowed with such beauty that Jupiter 
himself sought her in marriage ; but Prometheus, 
the Titan, prophesied that Thetis would give birth 
to a son who should be greater than his father. 
Jupiter thereupon desisted from his suit, and 
Thetis was betrothed to Peleus, king of Thessaly. 
Their marriage was celebrated with much pomp, 
all the deities of Olympus honoring the nuptial 
rites with their presence. Achilles, the son of 
Thetis, fulfilled the 'Titan’s prophecy by his heroic 
exploits. 


CHAPTER XXIII. 
Infernal Deities. 
PLUTO—HADBSBS, 


Ques. Who was Pluto ? 

Ans. He was the son of Saturn and Ops, and 
the brother of Jupiter and Neptune. In the divi- 
sion of his father’s kingdom, the infernal regions 
were allotted to him, and he is therefore called 
the king of Hell. 

Ques. How is Pluto represented ? 

Ans. He is seated on a throne in the midst of 
clouds and darkness; he wears a crown of ebony, 
and holds a key in his hand instead of a sceptre. 

Ques. What does the kéy signify ? 

Ans. It seems to imply, that when once the 
dead are received into Pluto’s kingdom, the gates 
are locked upon them and there is no escape. 

Ques. What does Pluto’s name signify ? 

Ans. The Greek name Pluto, and the Latin 
word Dis, signify wealth, because this god is sup- 
posed to control the hidden treasures of the earth. 
The thunder that happens in the night time is 
attributed to Pluto, and he is often styled the 
Jufernal Jupiter. 


100 MyrHonoey. 


Ques. Was Pluto the same as Plutus ? 

Ans. No; Plutus was the god of riches, and 
was supposed to be the son of Jason and Ceres. 
He is described as being blind and lame, injudi- 
cious, and timorous. 

Ques. What does this 1aean? 

Ans. Plutus is blind and injudicious, because 
he passes over the virtuous to heap riches on the 
wicked ; he is lame because riches come slowly, 
and timorous, because the rich watch their treas- 
ures with great fear and anxiety. 

Ques. To whom was Pluto married ? 

Ans. As we haye learned before, Pluto was . 
married to Proser’pine, daughter of Ceres, 


HELI. 


Ques. How was Hell described ? 

Ans. The entrance to the infernal regions was 
by a wide, dark cave, through which the departed 
souls were obliged to pass; they next came to a 
gloomy grove, and a black lake, called Avernus ; 
this was overhung with such poisonous vapors that 
no birds could fly over it. The ferryman, Charon, 
was always waiting on the shore to carry the dead 
to the other side of the lake. The ghosts of those 
who had not been buried with funeral rites, were 
obliged to wander for a hundred years by the 
gloomy waters of Avernus, before Charon could 
carry them to the other side. ‘This superstition 


INFERNAL DEITIES. 101 


made the ancients very careful about burying 
their dead. ita 

Ques. What do you say of the rivers of Hell ? 

Ans. The Styx was the most remarkable. 
When any of the gods swore by the Styx, the 
oath was sacred; if any deity was guilty of 
breaking such an oath, he was deprived of nectar, 
and excluded from the table of the gods for a 
year and nine days. Lethe was also a river of 
Hell; the name means oblivion ; it is so called, 
because when the dead drank of its waters, they 
forgot all that had passed upon this earth. 

Ques. What monster kept the gate of Pluto’s 
palace. 

Ans. Cer'berus; a three-headed dog, whose 
body was clothed with snakes instead of hair. 


FPATES—FURIB5ES. 


(ues. Who were the Fates? 

Ans. They were three sisters, the daughters of 
Chaos, who were appointed to watch over the 
thread of human life. Their names were, Clotho, 
Liach’esis and At'ropos; Clotho drew the thread 
between her fingers; Lach’esis turned the wheel, 
and, at the appointed moment, At’ropos cut the 
thread with her scissors. 

(Jues. Who-were the Furies ? 

Ans. They were three sisters, Alec’to, Tisi/phone, 

and Megz’ra. ‘They are called by the poets the 
Daughters of Night; their office was to torment 
the wicked during life and after death. 


102 MytTHo.oey. 


(Jues. How were they represented? 

Ans. As hideous women with terrible counte- 
nances; they had twining serpents instead of 
hair, and carried snaky whips and lighted torches 
in their hands. They were often called by the 
Greeks EKumen’ides. 

Ques. Of what were the Furies an emblem ? 

Ans. Of the evil passions of men, and the re- 
morse which torments the wicked. When the 
ancients said of a man, that the Furies had taken 
up their abode with him, they meant that the re- 
membrance of his crimes did not leave him any 
repose. 


JUDGES OF THE DEAD. 
Punishments inflicted on the Condemned. 


Ques. Besides Pluto, who were appointed judges 
of the dead? 

Ans. Minos, Rhadamanthus and Ai‘acus. These 
were princes, who governed so justly during life, 
that the fate of the dead was entrusted to them. 

Ques. What offices were assigned to each? 

Ans. Rhadamanthus judged the Asiatics, Ai’a- 
cus the Europeans; and when a very difficult 
case arose it was referred to Minos. 

(Jues. Who were the most famous among the 
condemned ? 

Ans. The giants whom Jupiter conquered. Ty- 
phon was the most enormous; when he was over- 
thrown, Jupiter was obliged to lay the whole 


INFERNAL DEITIES. 103 


island of Sicily upon him to keep him down. 
Briareus was another giant, remarkable for havy- 
ing fifty heads and a hundred hands. According 
to the ancient poets, he is imprisoned under 
Mount Etna, and whenever he tries to move he 
causes terrible eruptions of the volcano. ‘Tityus 
was still more cruelly punished. He was chained 
to the ground in the infernal regions, and such 
was his stature, that he covered nine acres.. A 
frightful vulture fed continually upon his liver, 
which grew as fast as it was consumed, that his 
punishment might be eternal. 

(ues. Who was Ixion? 

Ans. He was the son of Phlegyas, or, accord- 
ing to some, of Mars. He boasted falsely that 
he had gained the affections of Juno. For this 
insolence Jupiter cast him down into hell, where 
he was fastened to a wheel which revolved con- 
tinually. 

Ques. Who was Sis'yphus ? 

Ans. He-was a famous robber who was slain 
by Theseus. In hell, he was obliged to roll a 
huge stone up a steep mountain. When it 
touched the top it rolled down again, so that he 
was tormented with unceasing toil. 

Ques. Who was Tan’talus ? 

Ans. He was the son of Jupiter. He invited 
the gods to a feast, at which he served up the 
flesh of his son Pelops to try their divinity. In 
hell he is tormented by continual hunger and 
thirst. He stands up to his lips in a cool fountain, 


104 ' Myrnonoey. 


whose waters recede whenever he attempts to 
drink. Branches laden with tempting fruit hang 
over him, but they are carried out of reach by a 
sudden gust of wind whenever he attempts to 
pluck them. 

Ques. Who were the Beli/des ? 

Ans. They were fifty maidens, daughters of 
Dan/‘aus and grand-daughter of King Belus, from 
whom they are called. They all murdered their 
husbands on the wedding night, for which crime 
they are obliged to draw water from a deep well 
until they have filled an immense sieve. Their 
labor is therefore perpetual. 

(Jues. Who was Salmo’neus ? 

Ans. Salmo’/neus was king of Elis, and was cast 
into hell for imitating Jupiter’s thunder. 

Ques. What became of the souls of good men? 

Ans. After being purified from whatever slight 
offences they had committed in life, they were 
conducted to a place abounding in delights, called 
Elysium. When they had passed many ages in 
this blissful abode they returned to earth, but be- 
fore doing so, they drank of the river Lethe, that 
they-might forget the happiness they had en- 


joyed. 








fo ; Vd 
NO 


CHAPTER XXIV. 





PABULOUS—MONSTERS. 


Ques. Were there any fabulous monsters be- 
sides those of Hell. 

Ans. Yes, many; the Centaurs, who were half 
man and half horse; also Geryon, who was king 
of the three Balearic Islands, now known as Ivica, 
Minorea and Majorca. For this reason, he was 
said to have three heads and three bodies, and 
passed into fable as a monster. He was probably 
a wicked and cruel prince. There were also the 
Harpies, which had the faces of women and the 
bodies of birds. 

Ques. What was the Chimera ? 

Ans. A fabulous monster, which vomited fire. 
It had the head and breast of a lion, the body of 
-a goat, and the tail of a dragon. 

Ques. What was intended by this fable ? 

Ans. Poets thus described a volcano in Lycia, 
on the summit of which were lions; in the middle 
was pasture-land frequented by goats; and the 
lowest part was infested by serpents. Bellerophon 
made this mountain inhabitable, and was there- 
fore said to have killed the Chimera. At present 


106 MyrHooey. 


anything which is quite imaginary is called a 
Chimera. 

Ques. What was the Sphinx? 

Ans. It was a monster with the head and shoul- 
ders of a woman, the wings of a bird, and the 
paws of a lion. She infested the country about 
Thebes, so that the people, in their distress, went 
to consult the oracle of Apollo. An answer was 
given that no remedy could be found until some 
one should solve the riddle that the Sphinx had 
proposed, and which she had learned from the 
Muses. The question was this: “ What animal 
is that which goes on four feet in the morning, on 
two at noon, and on three in the evening?” The 
Thebans often met to try their skill, and when 
they had failed, the Sphinx carried off and de- 
voured one of their number. At length Heman, 
son of Creon, was destroyed by the monster, and 
the king made a public proclamation, that he 
would give the throne, with the hand of his sister 
Jocasta, to that man who should solve the riddle. 
Cidipus, who was then at Thebes, came forward 
and answered the Sphinx, that the animal was 
Man, because when an infant he creeps on all 
fours; in manhood, he walks on two feet, and 
when old uses a staff as a third foot. Upon hear- 
ing this answer, the Sphinx dashed her head 
against a rock, and expired. 

Ques. Why is the story of the Sphinx interest- 
ing? 

Ans. Because there still remains in Egypt an 


Fasutous Monsters. 107 


enormous statue of the monster, carved in solid 
rock. Formerly, little was visible save the head 
and neck, but the sand which has been gathering 
around it for so many centuries, is now cleared 
away. ‘The body is one hundred and twenty-five 
feet long; and the fore-paws extend about fifty 
feet more. The face has been much disfigured 
by the arrows and lances of the Arabs, who are 
taught by their religion to hold all images of men 
or animals in detestation. 

Ques. What was the Phoentx ? 

Ans. A fabulous bird of which there never ex- 
isted more than one at the same time. It excelled 
all other birds in beauty of plumage, and fed only 
on frankincense and sweet gums. When the 
Phoenix had attained the age of five hundred 
years, it built a funeral pile of odorous wood, on 
which it was consumed. A new Pheenix also im- 
mediately arose from the flames. The first care 
of the young bird was to collect the ashes of its 
parent, which it carried, enclosed in myrrh, to the 
temple of the Sun in Egypt. 


CHAPTER XXYV. 
Household Divinities. 


PENATES—LARES. 


Ques. What were the Pena’tes ? 

Ans. This name was given to a certain class of 
household deities, which were worshipped by the 
Romans in the penetralia, or innermost part of 
their dwellings. The greater Pena’tes governed 
kingdoms and provinces; others presided over 
cities ; and the lesser Pena’tes watched over par- 
ticular houses and families. 

Ques. What were the Lares ? 

Ans. They were, according to some, the chil- 
dren of Mercury and the nymph Lara; they were 
domestic gods, and presided over houses, streets 
and roads. They warded off danger from with- 
out, while the Pena’tes watched over the interior 
of the dwelling. The spirits of ancestors some- 
times watched as Lares, over the fortunes of fam- 
ilies. This idea of the spirits of the deceased 
watching over their descendants, made the Ro- 
mans wish to bury the dead within, or very near 
their dwellings. This custom was condemned by 


HovusEHOLD DIVINITIES. 109 


the laws of the Twelve Tables. Besides the spirit 
which watched over the family, each individual 
was supposed to have his Lar, or familiar genius, 
who watched over him from his birth. In early 
times, children were sacrificed to the goddess Ma-_ 
nia, who was supposed by some to be the mother 
ofthe Lares. After the expulsion of the Tarquins, 
Junius Brutus abolished this barbarous rite, and 
substituted little balls of wool, and heads of garlic 
and poppy, in place of the human‘ heads which 
had been formerly offered. ‘The ordinary altar of 
the Lares was the domestic hearth ; hogs, sheep 
and steers were among the sacrifices offered to 
these divinities, but the first fruits of the season 
were always laid upon the hearth. No family re- 
past was properly begun, unless some portion of 
the viands had been first cast into the fire; in the 
more solemn form of marriage, the bride always 
threw a piece of money on the hearth, to the 
Lares of her family, and another on the cross 
roads, that they might grant her free passage to 
her husband’s house. The Roman boy, on at- 
taining the age of fifteen, put off his childish dress, 
and consecrated the golden bulla, which he had 
worn around his neck from infancy, to the domes- 
tic Lares. 

The soldier whose term of service had expired 
dedicated his arms to these powerful genii; while 
captives, and slaves restored to freedom, hung up 
their fetters, in token of gratitude, by the altar of 
the Lares. 


110 MyTHooey. 


Ques. How were the Lares represented ? 
Ans. Variously ; sometimes as children, some- 
times as young warriors, but always accompanied 


by a dog. 


Virtues Worshipped by the Ancients. 
Vices. 


Ques. What Virtues were particularly honored 
as divinities ? 

Ans. The ancients not only worshipped the 
different Virtues, but the abstract idea of virtue 
itself was personified as a goddess. The Romans 
dedicated two temples, one to this divinity, and 
another, adjoining, to Honor. As the temple of 
Honor could only be reached by passing through 
that dedicated to Virtue, the votaries were re- 
minded that it was by walking in her paths, that 
true honor was to be attained. 

(Jues. What were the emblems of Truth? 

Ans. She was generally represented as a beau- 
tiful and modest virgin, with garments as white as 
snow. She was the daughter of Time, or Saturn, 
because Time always brings truth to light. 

Fides,.or Fidelity, had a temple near the Capitol, 
which was said to have been founded by Numa 
Pompilius. The symbols of this goddess were, a 
white dog, two hands joined, or sometimes two 
maidens with joined hands. 

Ques. What were the emblems of Peace ? 


HovusEHOLD DIvINITIES. © 111 


Ans. Pax, or Peace, was represented as a mat- 
ron holding ears of corn, and crowned with olives 
and laurel. Her particular symbol was a cadu- 
ceus, a white staff anciently borne by ambassa- 
dors when sent to treat of peace. A magnificent 
temple was dedicated to this goddess in the Ro- 
man Forum. 

Justice was worshipped by the Egyptians, 
Greeks and Romans. Her emblems have been 
described in the article on the goddess Astrea. 

Hope had a temple at Rome in the herb mar- 
ket. It was destroyed by lightning. 

Misericordia, or Mercy, had an altar at Athens. 
This was a public sanctuary for the unfortunate, 
and it was unlawful to take any one from it by 
force. This altar is said to have been erected by 
the kindred of Hercules, after the death of that 
hero. ’ 

Pudicitia, or Modesty, had two temples, much 
frequented by the Roman matrons. The second 
of these was founded under peculiar circumstan- 
ces. 

Virginia, the daughter of Aulus, a patrician of 
high rank, married into a piebeian family. The 
noble ladies of Rome were so indignant at this 
alliance, that they would not permit her to enter 
the temple of Pudicitia, nor to offer sacrifice with 
them. She desired to repair this public affront 
by some memorable action. For this purpose, 
she built, in the Via Longa, a temple similar to 
that from which she had been expelled, and dedi- 


112 ‘MyrHoboey. 


cated it likewise to Pudicitia. Virginia then as- 
sembled the plebeian matrons, and exhorted them 
to honor this Virtue in such a manner, that how- 
ever the patrician ladies should surpass them in 
power or rank, they might still excel in modest 
behavior and. purity of life. The two temples 
were from that time distinguished as Pudicitia 
Patricia, and Pudicitia Plebeia. 

Ques. Was Fortune honored as a goddess ? 

Ans. Yes, the ancients worshipped under this 
name, a certain unseen power which was supposed 
to exercise a supreme dominion over human af- 
fairs. Fortune had many splendid temples in 
lialy. Servius Tullius dedicated two at Rome ; 
one to Bona Fortuna, the other to Fors Fortuna. 
This capricious goddess was sometimes represent- 
ed with her eyes bandaged, her feet winged, and 
her right hand resting on a wheel. In the temple 
of Fortune at Thebes, the goddess held Wealth, 
represented as an infant, in her arms. 

The goddess Salus, or Health, was much hon- 
ored by the Romans. In ancient times, certain 
days in the year were set apart for her worship. 
Her emblems were a bowl and a serpent. 

Liberty was honored as a divinity. Her emblem 
was the peculiar cap with which we are familiar 
from the representations on our own coins. 

Ques. Were not the Vices also honored by the 
ancients ? 

Ans. It is certain that both the Greeks and Ro- 
mans erected temples and altars to certain vices ; 


HovsEHoLp DIvINITIES. 113 


but it does not appear that their intention was to 
do them honor. In some instances, they strove 
to propitiate the powers of evil, that they might 
abstain from doing them harm. When they built 
a temple at Rome to Febris, or Fever, they un- 
doubtedly wished to appease the demon or malig- 
nant deity who was supposed to send this calam- 
ity. The same superstition has been remarked 
among the modern Hindoos, who are said to have 
dedicated temples to thunder and lightning, earth- 
quake, pestilence, etc. The Vices were always 
represented in such a manner as to excite abhor- 
rence. We have an instance of this in the altar 
erected to Calumny at Athens. 

Apelles drew an allegorical picture, in which the 
odious features of this Vice were strikingly por- 
trayed. A man sits in a listening attitude, beck- 
oning Calumny to approach. Two counsellors, 
Ignorance and Suspicion, stand near him. Cal- 
umny is beautiful in form and feature, but has a 
malignant countenance, and flashing eyes. Envy 
goes before, while Fraud and Conspiracy accom- 
pany her on either side. Repentance follows with 
woful mien and torn garments. She looks behind 
her, as if calling upon Truth, who is seen advanc- 
ing slowly in the distance, 

Discord, Fraud, etc., were ENS with ap- 
propriate symbols. 


CHAPTER XXVLI. 
Demigods and Heroes. 


Ques. Who were the Demigods? 

Ans. They were brave men, who had rendered 
themselves famous in life by illustrious actions. 
After their death, their countrymen believed that 
they were admitted among the gods, and gave 
them divine honors. The circumstance of a mor- 
tal taking his place among the gods, was called 
an Apotheosis. ) 

Ques. Who was the most famous of the Demi- 
gods? : 

Ans. Hercules, the son of Jupiter and Alemena. 
Juno hated him on his mother’s account, and re- 
solved upon his destruction. For this purpose 
she sent two monstrous serpents to kill him as he 
was sleeping in his cradle. The infant hero 
awoke, and seizing the serpents in his hands, 
strangled them both. Juno was not discouraged, 
and when Hercules was grown up, devised new 
means to destroy him. She persuaded Jupiter to 
put Hercules under the authority of Eurys’theus, 
king of Mycenz, who imposed upon the hero 
twelve Labors, or tasks, of great danger and dif- 


DEMIGODS AND HEROES. 115 


ficulty. Hercules was in doubt as to whether he 
should submit to this injustice, and consulted 
the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. The oracle told 
him that he must obey Eurys’theus, which he 
accordingly did. Hercules had been carefully 
instructed by the Centaur Chiron, and he was 
now equipped for his labors by the liberality 
of the gods. He received a sword from Mercury, 
a bow from Apollo, a golden breastplate from 
Vulcan, horses from Neptune, and a robe from 
Minerva. 

Ques. Relate the Twelve Labors of Hercules. 

Ans. They are briefly as follows: 

First. He killed a terrible lion which raged in 
the Ne’mean forest. Hercules is usually repre- 
sented as clothed in the skin of this animal, and 
leaning on the club which was his ordinary 
weapon. 

Second. He destroyed the Hydra, a serpent 
with fifty heads, which lived in the marshes of 
Lerna, and ravaged the surrounding country. 

Hercules noticed that where he cut off one of 
the heads of this serpent, two immediately sprang 
up. He commanded an attendant to burn the 
wound with a firebrand, and by this means he at 
length cut off the last head. 

Third. He captured the savage wild boar of 
Mount Erymanthus, in Arcadia, and brought it 
bound to Kurys’theus. The tyrant was so fright- 
ened at the sight of the animal, that he shut him- 
self up in a brazen apartment of his palace. 


116 MytTHoLoey. 


Fourth. He caught, after a chase which lasted 
an entire year, a famous stag which was sacred 
to Diana. It had golden horns and brazen 
feet. 

Fijth. He killed, or drove away from Lake 
Stympha’lus, certain voracious birds which fed on 
human flesh. 

Sixth. He defeated the Amazons, and obtained 
as a spoil, the girdle of their queen, Hippol’yte. 

Seventh. Three thousand oxen had been kept 
thirty years in the stables of Au’geas, which had 
never been cleaned during the entire period. 
Hercules was required to perform this task, which 
he effected by turning the course of a river 
through the stables. 

Lighth. He tamed the wild bull of Crete, and 
brought him bound to Eurys’theus. 

Ninth. He overcame Diome’des, tyrant of 
Thrace, who fed his horses with the flesh of his 
guests. Hercules caused him, in turn, to serve as 
food to these same horses. 

Tenth. He overcame Ger’yon, who had three 
heads and three bodies. Hercules brought into 
lialy the oxen of this monster, which were accus- 
tomed to feed on human flesh. 

Lleventh. He killed the dragon that watched 
the golden apple in the garden of the Hesper’ides, 
and bore away the precious fruit. 

Twelfth. Hercules descended alive into the in- 
fernal regions, and brought from thence the three- 
headed dog, Cerberus. 


DEMIGODS AND HEROES. 117 


Ques. Did Hercules perform any other great 
actions? 

Ans. A vast number of exploits are attributed 
to him. There is a plain near Narbonne, in 
France, covered with stones. The ancients said 
that Hercules was contending on this spot with 
two giants, when, his arrows becoming exhausted, 
he prayed to Jupiter for aid. The god sent down 
a shower of great stones, with which Hercules 
put the giants to flight. 

Ques. Relate the death of Hercules? 

Ans. ‘This hero had slain the Centaur Nessus to 
revenge an insult offered to his wife, Deiani'ra. 
When the monster was dying, he gave Deiani'ra a 
charmed philter, telling her that if Hercules ever 
gave her cause to doubt his affection, she could 
secure his constancy by making him wear a gar- 
ment which had been sprinkled with this potion. 
The credulous Deiani'ra accepted the philter, 
which was nothing else but the venom of the hy- 
dra which had been infused into the Centaur’s 
blood; and it was not long before her jealousy 
led her to use it as she had been directed. Her- 
cules had plundered Cichalia, and carried off, 
among other captives, the beautiful I’ole, daugh- 
ter of the king of that city. The hero, who 
wished to keep a festival, and to offer sacrifice in 
honor of his victory, sent for a splendid robe be- 
fitting the occasion. Delani'ra’s jealousy was ex- 
cited against I’ole by the reports of the messenger, 
and she sent her husband a tunic impregnated 


118 MyTHOLOGY. 


with the venom of the hydra. The poison soon 
began to work, and Hercules endeavored in vain 
to tear off the tunic, which clung to his flesh and 
consumed even the marrow of his bones. In his 
fury he caught the youth who had brought him 
the garment, by the foot, and hurled him into the 
sea. He then fled in his agony to the summit of 
Mount CXta, where he erected a funeral pyre with 
forest trees which he tore up by the roots. On 
this he laid the skin of the Ne’mean lion and his 
famous club, after which he ascended the pile 
and directed his followers to set it on fire. All 
refused except Philocte’tes, who pitied the suffer- 
ings of the dying hero, and obeyed his command. 
He received the bow and arrows of Hercules as a 
reward for this service. While the pyre was blaz- 
ing, Jupiter sent a thunder-cloud, in which Her- 
cules was conveyed to Olympus. Here he was 
endowed with immortality, and, according to 
some accounts, was reconciled with Juno, whe 
gave him her daughter Hebe in marriage. 





CHAPTER XXVII. 


JASON. 


Ques. Who was Jason ? 

Ans. He was the son of Adson, king of Thessaly, 
and was celebrated on account of his expedition 
in search of the Golden Fleece. He is also 
known as the husband of the famous sorceress 
Mede’a. 

Ques. What was the Golden Fleece? 

Ans. Phryxus, son of Athamas, king of Thebes, 
received from his mother a ram of a golden color, 
or, according to fable, with a fleece of pure gold. 
Some time after, Phryxus and his sister Helle, to 
escape from their step-mother Ino, attempted to 
cross the sea on this ram. Helle became ter- 
rified, and was drowned in the straits which are 
called from her, Hellespont. Phryxus arrived in 
safety at Colchis, where he sacrificed the ram to 
Jupiter, who placed it among the signs of the 
Zodiac. The fleece was hung in a grove sacred 
to Mars, where it was guarded by bulls who 
breathed flame from their nostrils, and also by a 
sleepless dragon. When Jason demanded his 


120 MytTHoLoey. 


father’s throne, his uncle, who wished to continue 
in the government, persuaded him to undertake 
an expedition for the recovery of the Golden 
Fleece. Jason, with some brave companions, 
among whom were Hercules, Orpheus, Castor and 
Pollux, went on board a ship called the Argo, 
from which circumstance they were called Ar’- 
gonauts. On arriving at Colchis, they demanded 
the fleece, which the king, Aletes, promised to 
Jason on condition that he would tame the wild 
bulls that guarded it, kill the dragon, sow his 
teeth in the ground, and afterwards destroy the 
soldiers who should spring from them. Jason 
accepted the conditions, but would inevitably 
have perished, had not Mede’a, the king’s daugh- 
ter, saved him by her magical arts. Jason ob- 
tained the fleece, and fled by night from Colchis, 
carrying with him Mede’a, whom he married, in 
fulfilment of the engagement which he had made. 

(ues. What else is related of Mede’a? 

Ans. She lived for some time happily with Jason, 
upon whom she conferred an additional favor by 
restoring his aged and decrepit father to the 
vigor and beauty of youth. Jason was ungrateful 
for these benefits, and divorced Mede’a in order 
that he might marry Cretisa, the daughter of the 
king of Corinth. 

Ques. What was Mede’a’s revenge ? 

Ans. She murdered, in the sight of their father, 
the two children whom she had borne to Jason, 
and consumed his palace and bride in a conflagra- 


DeEMIGODS AND HEROES. 121 


tion raised by her art. As Jason was about to 
rush upon the sorceress, she rose in the air in a 
flying chariot, and escaped to Athens. 


THESEUS. 


Ques. Who was Theseus? 

Ans: He was the son of Ai/geus, king of Athens. 
The Athenians were obliged to send every year, 
as tribute to Crete, seven of the noblest of their 
young men, and as many maidens. ‘These were 
usually devoured” by a horrible monster called 
Minotaur, whom Minos, the ane of Crete, kept 
in the Labyrinth. 

Ques. What was the Labyrinth ? 

Ans. It was a building with fifteen hundred 
rooms above ground, and as many underneath. 
These apartments had so many doors, and were 
connected by such intricate windings, that no one 
who was conducted a certain distance into the 
edifice, could find the entrance again. 

Theseus resolved to deliver the Athenians from 
this dreadful tribute, and when the lots were 
about }ieing cast for the fourth time, he offered 
himself as one of the victims. Ai’/geus strove to 
dissuade the young hero, but in vain; and the 
tribute ship departed as usual under black sails, 
which ‘Theseus promised his father to change for 
white, in case of his returning victorious. 

When they arrived in Crete, the youths and 
maidens were exhibited before King Minos; and 


122 MyTHOLOGY. 


Ariadne, the daughter of the king, was so much 
struck by the courage and generosity of Theseus 
that she resolved to save his life. For this pur- 
pose she gave him a ball of thread which she 
directed him to attach to the entrance of the 
Labyrinth, and to unwind as he proceeded. 
Theseus followed her instructions, and when he 
came to where the Minotaur lay, he slew him, 
and found his way out by the thread. The whole 
band then embarked for Athens. 

Ques. What became of Ariadne? 

Ans. She accompanied Theseus on his flight, 
but he was so ungrateful as to abandon her on 
the island of Naxos, where she had fallen asleep 
on the shore. Ariadne was afterwards married 
to Bacchus, who gave her a crown composed of 
seven stars, the same which we admire in the 
heavens as the Corona Borealis, or Northern 
Crown. 

Ques. Of what negligence was Theseus guilty 
on his return to Athens ? 

Ans. He forgot his promise to his father with 
regard to the color of his sails, and Ai’/geus, who 
watched every day for his son’s return, saw the 
black sails in the distance. He believed from this 
that his son was dead. In his despair he cast 
himself into the sea, which was called Aige’an from 
his name. Theseus, after performing many other 
wonderful actions, was banished from his country, 
and died in obscurity. 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 
CASTOR AND POLLUX. 


Ques. Who were Castor and Pollux ? 

Ans. They were twin brothers, the sons of Ju- 
piter and Leda. Castor was mortal like his 
mother, and when he died, Pollux grieved so 
much that Jupiter permitted him to share his 
immortality with his brother. It was arranged, 
therefore, that they should live every alternate 
day. 

(Ques. What Constellation is named from these 
brothers ? 

Ans. Gemini, or the Twins, the third sign of 
the Zodiac. 


PROMETHEUS. 


Ques. Who was Prometheus ? 

Ans. He was the son of Japetus and Clymene, 
one of the Oceanides. He formed a man out of 
clay, and gave it life by means of fire which he 
stole from heaven. 

Ques. What pretty fable is connected with this ? 

Ans. The pocts tell us that Jupiter was so 


124 MyrHoLoay. 


much displeased at the theft, that he sent Pan- 
do’ra to Prometheus with a mysterious box, in 
which were imprisoned all the evils which have 
since afflicted the human race. Prometheus, sus- 
pecting something wrong, refused to touch the 
box, upon which Pando’ra carried it to his brother 
Epimetheus. He was less cautious, and opening 
the casket, set free the evils and miseries which 
flew abroad through the world. When he saw 
what he had done, he shut the box quickly, and 
prevented Hope, which was lying at the bottom, 
from escaping also. This signifies that in the 
midst of all human miseries, hope yet remains, 
The fable may have been derived from some an- 
cient tradition of Eve’s curiosity, the fall of man, 
and the hope left him amid so many misfortunes. 

(Jues. How was Prometheus punished ? 

Ans. Jupiter commanded Mercury to chain him 
to a rock on Mount Caucasus; there an eagle fed 
on his liver, which was continually renewed. 
Prometheus had, at one time, rendered Jupiter 
a service. The king of the gods remembered 
this, and permitted that after a certain time, Her- 
cules should kill the eagle and set him free. 


CHAPT##R X XIX. 
ORPHEUS. 


Ques. Who was Orpheus? 

Ans. He was the son of Apollo and the Muse 
Calliope. He played so sweetly on the lyre, ac- 
companying the music with his voice, that he 
tamed wild beasts, stayed the course of rivers, 
and drew the very trees to gather around him as 
he sung. Orpheus married the beautiful nymph 
Eury'dice ; but on the very day of their nuptials 
she was stung in the foot by a venomous serpent, 
and died, leaving Orpheus overwhelmed with grief. 
Trusting to the magie of his lyre, he repaired to 
the infernal regions. Here, “at the music of Lis 
golden shell,” the wheel of Ixion stopped; Tan- 
talus forgot his thirst ; the vulture ceased to prey 
on the vitals of Tityus; Cerberus fawned at the 
musician’s feet, Proserpine was melted to tears, 
and the stern king of Hell was moved to pity. 
Hury'dice was permitted to return to the upper 
world, but only on condition that Orpheus did 
not look upon her before they passed the confines 


126 MyTHOLOGY. 


of Pluto’s kingdom. Orpheus forgot this in his 
eagerness, and Eury’dice vanished from his sight. 
In his despair, he now shunned all intercourse 
with mankind, and retired to woods and solitary 
erottoes, endeavoring to forget his misfortune in 
the charms of music. Orpheus was murdered dur- 
ing the orgies of Bacchus, by the Thracian wo- 
men, who were incensed at the coldness with 
which he had treated them. After tearing him 
to pieces, they threw his head into the river 
Hebrus, and were surprised to hear its murmur, 
“ Kury’dice, Eury’dice !” as it was carried down the 
stream to the Aigean Sea. Bacchus was indignant 
at the cruelty of the Thracian women, and changed 
them into trees. 


ARION. 


(Ques. Who was Arion? 

Ans. He was a famous musician who resided 
at the court of Periander, king of Corinth. 
Impelled by a minstrel’s love of wandering, he 
felt desirous of visiting foreign countries, and 
departed from Corinth, notwithstanding the earn- 
est solicitations of Periander, who warned him in 
vain of the danger to which he might be exposed. 
After some time spent in Italy and Sicily, Arion 
desired to return to Corinth, and embarked for 
this purpose at Sarentum, taking with him the 
riches that he had amassed. During the voyage, 
the mariners agreed among themselves that they 


DEMIGODS AND HEROES. 127 


would murder Arion, and seize his treasures. 
The unhappy musician offered in vain to abandon 
everything to their cupidity, if they would but 
spare his life. The only favor he could obtain 
was the choice of a grave. If he desired to be 
laid on shore under the green turf, they would 
carry his lifeless body to land, and give it sepul- 
ture. If he cared not for this, he must immedi- 
ately cast himself into the sea. Arion chose the 
latter alternative, but begged that he might die 
as became a bard, after having played for the last 
time upon his lyre, and sung his own death-song. 
The mariners granted his request, not from pity, 
but. they desired to hear so famous a minstrel; 
music had charms even for their rude hearts. 
Arion attired himself in festal robes; his 
mantle was of purple fringed with gold, and his 
brow was adorned with a golden. wreath. He 
struck his lyre with the ivory wand, and sung a 
sweet and mournful melody. Then, commending 
himself to the friendly Nereides, he sprang into 
the sea. The waves closed above him, and the 
ship held on its way. The inhabitants of the 
deep had gathered around as Arion sung, and 
now, as he was struggling in the waves, a dolphin 
took him on his back, and carried him safe to 
shore. Periander received his friend with a cor- 
dial welcome, and listened with wonder to the 
story of his escape. When the ship arrived, he 
ordered the mariners to be brought before him, 
and inquired if they knew anything of Arion. 


128 MYTHOLOGY. 


They replied confidently that they had left him 
well and happy at Sarentum. Upon this Arion 
stepped forth, clothed in gold and purple, and 
holding his lyre as when he had cast himself into 
the sea. Overcome with terror, the guilty men 
confessed their crime, and suffered the punish- 
ment they had so well deserved. ‘This event was 
commemorated by a statue of brass which was 
consecrated at Tzenarus. It represented a man 
mounted on a dolphin. 


AMPHION. 


Ques. Who was Amphi’on ? 

Ans. He was the son of Anti’ope and Jupiter. 
He obtained the kingdom of Thebes, which he 
governed conjointly with his twin-brother Zethus. 
Amphi’on cultivated the art of music ; he was in- 
structed by Mercury, who gave him a golden lyre 
with which he is said to have built the walls of 
Thebes, causing the stones to move and place 
themselves in order, as he played. Amphi’on 
married Ni’obe, and became the father of seven 
sons and as many daughters, who were all slain 
by Apollo and Diana. He is said to have killed 
himself in despair. The legend of the building of 
the walls of Thebes, is probably an allusion to 
the old Dorian and Aiolian custom of erecting 
the walls of cities with public solemnities, and to 
the sound of musical instruments. 


CHAPTER XXX, 


ATLAS. 


Ques. Who was Atlas ? 

Ans. He was a king of Mauritania, the son of 
the Titan Jap’etus, and the nymph Clym’ene; he 
was, therefore, brother of Prometheus. He is 
represented as sustaining the heavens on his 
shoulders. Atlas had been warned that he would 
suffer much from a son of Jupiter. When Per- 
seus was returning from the conquest of the Gor- 
gons, he arrived in the dominions of Atlas, of 
whom he claimed the rites of hospitality, declar- 
ing at the same time his divine parentage. The 
king, remembering the prophecy with regard to 
Jupiter’s offspring, repulsed him harshly. This 
conduct brought upon Atlas the calamity which 
he feared ; for Perseus, indignant at so much inhu- 
manity, showed him the head of Medusa, and 
changed him into the mountain which bears his 
name. 

The fable, that Atlas sustained the heavens on 
his shoulders, has been explained by saying he 


130 MyrTHouoey. 


was an astronomer, who observed the motion of 
the heavenly bodies from the summit of a lofty 
mountain, to which his name was afterwards 
given. 

Ques. Who were the children of Atlas? 

Ans. By his wife Peli/one, he had seven daugh- 
ters, who were called Pleiades ; they were changed 
into stars, and form the beautiful group which we 
admire in the constellation Taurus. Atlas had 
seven other daughters who underwent the same 
transformation ; they were placed in the head of 
Taurus, and were called by the Greeks, Hyades, 
from a word which signifies “ to rain.” 

The Hesperides, or Western Maidens, were 
three celebrated nymphs, concerning whose pa- 
rentage ancient writers are not agreed. Hesiod 
speaks of them as the daughters of Night, but ac- 
cording to others, they were the offspring of At- 
las and Hesperis. At the bridal of Jupiter and 
Juno, the different deities brought nuptial pres- 
ents; among these, Juno most admired some 
branches loaded with golden apples, which were 
offered by the goddess of the Harth. She begged 
the Earth to plant them in her gardens, which ex- 
tended as far as Mount Atlas. The Hesperides 
were directed to watch these trees, but they 
proved unfaithful, and frequently plucked the ap- 
ples for themselves. Juno sent, therefore, a ter- 
rible dragon to guard the precious fruit. This 
monster was the offspring of Typhon, and had a 
hundred heads, so that it never slept. 


DEMIGODS AND HEROES. 131 


ORION. 


Ques. Who was Ori’on ? 

Ans. His origin is doubtful ; according to some 
writers, he was the son of Neptune and Eury’ale. 
The accounts given of his exploits and of his 
death are many and contradictory. According to 
one legend, Ori’on was a famous hunter ; having 
boasted that he could subdue the wildest and 
fiercest animals, the earth was displeased at his 
presumption, and sent a scorpion to sting him. 
The hero was changed, after death, into a constel- 
lation which is known as the most resplendent 
group in the winter heavens. 


PERSEUS. 


Ques. Who was Perseus ? 

Ans. He was the son of Jupiter, and of Danaé, 
the only daughter of Acrisius, king of Argos. 
This prince had been warned by an oracle that 
his daughter would have a son, who was destined 
to deprive him of life. Acrisius resolved, in con- 
sequence, that Danaé should never marry., To 
euard against the possibility of such an event, he 
imprisoned her in a brazen apartment which he 
had diligently guarded. 

Jupiter had seen and admired the young prin- 
cess, and he now found means to visit her by 
transforming himself into a shower of gold, which 
we may take for a poetical manner of saying that. 
he bribed the guards. When Acrisius discovered 


132 MYTHOLOGY. 


that his precautions had been of no avail, he en- 
closed Danaé and her infant son in a coffer, which 
he cast into the sea. The coffer was carried by 
the waves to the island of Seriphus, where a fish- 
erman named Dictys drew it ashore in his net. 
He was much surprised at beholding Danaé and 
the infant Perseus, and brought them immediately 
to Polydectes, who reigned in that island. Poly- 
dectes received the strangers kindly, but when 
Perseus was grown, he strove to effect his destruc- 
tion by engaging him in an expedition against the 
Gorgons. ‘This adventure has been already relat- 
ed, in the article on Minerva. It was followed by 
the rescue of Androm eda, which is too remarka- 
ble to be omitted. 

Ques. Who was Androm’eda? 

Ans. She was the daughter of Cepheus, king of 
Ethiopia. Her mother, Cassiopeia, had boasted 
that she was fairer than Juno and the Nereides. 
The offended nymphs complained to Neptune, 
who sent a sea-monster to ravage the dominions 
of Cepheus. The people, in their distress, had 
recourse to the oracle of Jupiter Ammon, but the 
god declared that the country could not be freed 
from this calamity, unless Androm’eda were given 
up to be devoured by the monster. Cepheus con- 
sented to the sacrifice, and his daughter was 
chained to a rock by the sea-shore, where she 
was abandoned to her fate. 

Perseus, returning through the air, from his | 
conquest of the Gorgons, saw the unhappy maid- 


DeEmiIcops AND HEnRogs. 133 


en, and resolved to rescue her. He asked her 
hand as his only reward, which Cepheus readily 
promised. 

When the sea-monster appeared, Perseus showed 
him the head of Medusa, and changed him into a 
rock, which was long famous upon that coast. 
Phineus, who had been betrothed to Androm’eda, 
opposed her marriage with Perseus, and changed 
the nuptial solemnities into a scene of discord and 
bloodshed. 

The head of the Gorgon again procured for 
Perseus an easy victory. He warned his friends 
to avert their eyes, and displayed the frightful 
trophy, upon which Phineus and his followers 
were changed into stone, in the very attitudes in 
which they fought. 

Polydectes, who had persecuted Danaé in the 
absence of Perseus, was punished in the same 
manner. The hero afterwards fulfilled the oracle 
by killing his grandfather, whom he did not know, 
by an accidental blow of a quoit. 

Perseus, Androm’eda, Cepheus, and Cassiopeia 
were changed, after death, into the constellations 
which bear their names. 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


BELLEROPHON. 


Ques. Who was Beller’ophon ? 

Ans. This hero was the son of Glaucus, and 
erandson of. Sis'yphus, king of Corinth. Having 
accidentally killed one of his relatives, he fled, as 
was usual in such circumstances, and was received 
with much kindness by Preetus, king of Argos. 
Beller'ophon had not, however, been long at Ar- 
gos when the king was prejudiced by a calumni- 
ous report, and became jealous of the young hero. 
As he was ashamed to violate the rights of hospi- 
tality, he despatched Beller’ophon to his father- 
in-law, Joba’tes, king of the Lycians, with sealed 
‘letters in which he requested that prince to put 
the bearer to death. Joba’tes was also unwilling 
to imbrue his hands openly in the blood of a 
guest; he resolved, therefore, to effect his purpose 
indirectly, by engaging Beller’ophon in dangerous 
enterprises. 

The first task imposed upon the hero, was the 
slaying of the Chimera, a fabulous monster which 
we have already described, and which was then 


DEMIGODS AND HEROES. 135 


spreading terror through the kingdom of Lycia. 
Before proceeding to the combat, Beller/ophon 
took counsel of the soothsayer, Polyi’dus, who ad- 
vised him to procure, if possible, the winged steed 
Peg’asus. For this purpose, he directed him to 
pass the night in the temple of Minerva. There 
the goddess visited him in a dream, and gave him 
a golden bridle, instructing him as to its use. On 
awaking, Beller‘ophon found the bridle in his 
hand, and repaired immediately to the spring at 
which Peg’asus was accustomed to drink. The 
winged steed submitted to the golden bit, Beller’- 
ophon mounted him fearlessly, and was borne 
through the air to his combat with the Chimera. 
When he returned to Joba’tes with the spoils of 
the monster, the king sent him to fight against 
certain people, called Sol’'ymi, whom he had much 
difficulty insubduing. He next defeated the Am- 
azons, a nation of female warriors, and destroyed 
a party of Lycians, who laid an ambush for him 
on his return. Joba'tes perceived from these ex- 
ploits that his guest was indeed allied to the gods, 
and abandoned all further designs against him. 
He even gave him his daughter in marriage, 
and declared him his successor in the kingdom. 
Beller’ophon might have ended his days in 
happiness and prosperity, had he not irritated the 
gods by his pride. He conceived the project of 
mounting to heaven on his winged steed ; Jupiter 
was indignant, and sent a gad-fly which stung the 
horse, and caused him to throw the presumptuous 


136 MytTHonoey. 


rider. JBeller’ophon, lame and blind from his 
fall, wandered in lonely places, avoiding the 
haunts of men, until death came to relieve his 
misery. 


DEUCALION. 


Ques. Who was Deucalion ? 

Ans. He was king of Thessaly, and son of Pro- 
metheus. During his reign, there occurred so 
ereat a flood that the whole earth was covered 
with the waters. Of the entire human race, only 
Deucalion and his wife, Pyrrha, were saved. 
When the waters abated, the ship in which they 
were carried rested upon Mount Parnassus, and 
they consulted the oracle of Themis, to know by 
what means the earth might again be peopled. 
The oracle directed that they should cast be- 
hind them the bones of their Great Mother. Un- 
derstanding by this expression the earth, which is 
the common mother of all, they gathered stones 
which they cast behind them, as they had been 
commanded, when a great prodigy ensued. The 
stones thrown by Deucalion assumed human form 
and became men, and those thrown by Pyrrha 
were changed into women. 

(Jues. How is this fable explained ? 

Ans. It is supposed that Deucalion and Pyrrha 
were remarkable for their piety and virtue; and 
that by precept and example, they subdued the 
ferocity of their subjects. In this manner they 


DeEmIGOoDS AND HEROES. 137 


softened those who before were hard like stones, 
so that gentleness and humanity began to reign 
among them. 


DADALUS. 


Ques. Who was Deed’alus ? 

Ans. He is said to have been a native of Athens, 
eminent for his skill in architecture and statuary. 
His nephew Perdix wrought with him, and showed 
much inventive genius. Having observed the 
teeth of a serpent, or, according to some, the back- 
bone of a fish, Perdix invented the earpenter’s 
saw, and applied it to the cutting of timber. By 
this and other efforts of skill, the young man ex- 
cited the jealousy of Ded’alus, who killed him by 
casting him down from the summit of the Acrop- 
olis. Perdix was transformed into a partridge, a 
timid bird which seems still mindful of its fall, and 
keeps to low coverts, avoiding high places and 
lofty fights. For this murder, Deed’alus was sen- 
tenced to banishment by the Court of the Areop’a- 
eus. He found an asylum with Minos, king of 
Crete, for whom he constructed the famous Laby- 
rinth. Having incurred the displeasure of Minos, 
Deed’alus was imprisoned in a lofty tower. As 
there seemed no other means of escape, he re- 
solved on attempting a flight through the air. 
For this purpose, he made wings for himself and 
his son Ic’arus, which were so skilfully contrived, 
that, by their aid, they mounted boldly in the ai, 


13 MyrHonocy. 


and directed their flight over the sea. Ic’arus dis- 
regarded his father’s instructions, and approached 
so near the sun that its heat melted the wax 
which united the feathers of his wings. He could 
no longer sustain himself, and was drowned in 
that sea which is called Icarian, from his name. 
Died’alus arrived in Sicily, where he was employed 
by Coe’alus, king of that island, in the erection of 
many splendid edifices. 

Various explanations have been given of the fa- 
ble of Ded’alus. The most probable opinion is 
that there really existed an architect of that name, 
whose fame was such that all the improvements 
made in those early times in architecture and 
sculpture were attributed to him by popular tra- 
dition. He introduced the use of masts and sails 
in ships, and he is said to have been the first who 
represented statues in natural and lifelike atti- 
tudes, and with open eyes. Dzed’alus is also men- 
tioned as the inventor of the axe, plumb-line and 
augur. 


CHYX—_HALCYONE—THEHALCYON 
BIRDS. 


Ques. Who was Ceyx ? 

Ans. He was a king of Trachinia, who married 
Halcy’one, a daughter of the god Miolus. Ceyx was 
drowned on his way to consult the oracle of Cla- 
ros. Halcy’one was apprised of the sad event in 
a dream, in which she saw her husband stand be- 


DEMIGODS AND HEROEs. 139 


fore her, with pallid countenance and dripping 
garments. She hastened to the strand at break 
of day, and gazing over the waters, beheld the 
body of Ceyx borne towards her by the waves. In 
her despair, she cast herself into the sea, but the 
gods took pity on the faithful pair, and trans- 
formed them into haleyons. According to the 
poets, it was decreed that the sea should remain 
calm while these birds built their nests upon it. 
Notwithstanding the querulous, lamenting note of 
the halcyon, it was regarded by the ancients as a 
symbol of tranquillity, and as it seemed to make 
its home upon the waters, it was consecrated to 
Thetis. Pliny tells us that these birds construct- 
ed their floating nests during the seven days im- 
mediately preceding the winter solstice, and laid 
their eggs in the seven days succeeding. These 
are the “halcyon days” of antiquity, and this ex- 
pression is still used to denote a period of bright 
and tranquil happiness. 

The only bird of modern times which at all re- 
sembles the halcyon described by Pliny and Aris- 
totle, is the Alcedo Ispida, a species of martin 
called by the French, martin-pécheur. This mar- 
tin, however, makes its nest on shore, lays its eggs 
in the spring, and has no connection with calm 
weather. The large sponge-like ball which was 
taken by the ancients for the floating nest of the 
haleyon, was in reality a zoophyte, of the class 
named by Linneus, haleyonium. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 


MELEAGER-THE CALYDONIAN HUNT 


Ques. What was the story of this prince ? 

Ans. Meleager was the son of QCéneus and 
Althea, king and queen of Calydon. After his 
birth, the Fates entered the chamber of Althea, 
and foretold that the life of the child should expire 
with a billet of wood then burning on the hearth. 
Althea immediately seized and quenched the 
brand, which she secured in an oaken chest. 
Meleager had already attained the years of man- 
hood when he took part in the expedition gener- 
ally known as the Calydonian hunt. Q#neus had, 
upon one occasion, in offering sacrifice to the 
gods, neglected the honors due to Diana, and the 
goddess, in revenge, sent a wild boar of enormous 
.size to lay waste the fields of Calydon. The 
boldest hunters feared to attack the monster, 
whose eyes shone with fire, while its bristles stood 
erect lixe spears, and its tusks resembled those of 
an Indian elephant. The cornfields and vineyards 
were trampled down in its path, and the terrified 
husbandmen everywhere fled in dismay. At 
length Meleager called on the heroes of Greece to 
join in a hunt and destroy the common foe. 


THE CALYDONIAN Hutnv. 141 


There came on the appointed day, Castor and 
Pollux, Theseus and his friend Pirothous, Peleus, 
afterwards father of Achil’les, Telamon, father of 
Ajax, Nestor, then a youth, and many others of 
heroic fame. All eyes were, however, attracted by 
the fair huntress Atalanta. Her girdle was of 
burnished gold, an ivory quiver hung from her 
shoulder, and she carried a bow in her left hand. 

They soon reached the monstevr’s lair. Roused 
by the baying hounds, he rushed forth, trampling 
down and slaying the nearest huntsmen. In vain 
Jason threw his spear, praying that Diana might 
guide his arm. It glanced aside, and the weapon 
of Telamon proved equally harmless, while Nes- 
tor was obliged to seek safety in the branches of a 
tree. The first wound was inflicted by an arrow 
from the bow of Atalanta. Meleager, following 
up this advantage, despatched the monster with 
his spear. The heroes crowded around to con- 
eratulate the victor, who offered the head of the 
boar and the bristling hide to Atalanta. ‘The 
huntress accepted the trophies, but the uncles of 
Meleager, indignant that a woman should bear off 
the honors of the day, snatched them rudely from 
her. Meleager forgot, in his anger, the ties of 
kindred, and slew the offenders on the spot. 

As Althea was going to the temple to return 
thanks for her son’s victory she beheld the bodies 
of her murdered brothers. When she learned 
that they had fallen by the hand of Meleager, the 
Furies took possession of her soul. Entering 


142 MyrHouoey. 


hastily into the palace, she snatched the fatal 
brand, so long preserved, and cast it into the 
flames. At the same moment Meleager started 
with sudden pain, his strength ebbed away, and as 
the brand fell to ashes, the soul of the hero was 
breathed forth on the light winds. 

When the deed was accomplished Althea 
killed herself in despair. The sisters of Meleager 
wept his loss, until Diana, pitying their sorrow, 
changed them into birds called Meleagrides. 


NISUS AND SCYLLIA. 


(ues. Relate the story of their transformation ? 

Ans. Nisus was king of Megara; this city was 
closely besieged by Minos, but all his efforts were 
vain, as the Fates had decreed that it should not 
be taken, so long as a purple lock which grew on 
the head of Nisus, remained uncut. Scylla, the 
daughter of this prince, admired the majestic per- 
son of Minos, and the valor which he displayed. 
Believing that he would reward her treachery by 
making her his queen, she cut the fatal lock while 
her father slept. Minos received the gift with 
horror, and, when the city was taken, refused to 
permit Scylla to accompany him to Crete. In 
despair, she clung to the prow of his ship; but 
Nisus, who had just been transformed into a 
hawk, swooped down upon her from the sky. 
Seylla cast herself into the sea, and was trans- 
formed at the same moment into a lark. 


ERISICHTHON. 143 


ERISICHTHON 


Ques. Who was Erisichthon ? 

Ans. He was a profane person and a despiser 
of the gods. There stood in a grove sacred to 
Ceres, a stately oak which overtopped the trees 
around as they did the garden shrubs. Lrisich- 
thon commanded his attendants to fell the tree, 
and when they hesitated, he snatched an axe him- 
self, and struck the sacred wood. Blood flowed 
from the wounded trunk, and a voice from the 
Dryad dwelling in the oak, warned him of the 
punishment which awaited his impiety. Erisich- 
thon persisted in his crime, and at length the tree, 
severed by repeated blows, and drawn with.ropes, 
sunk to the ground, prostrating half the grove in 
its fall. The indignant Dryades went to Ceres in 
mourning garb, and invoked vengeance on the 
head of their impious foe. The goddess was 
moved, and delivered Erisichthon into the power 
of Famine. As the Fates had decreed that this 
goddess and Ceres should never meet, an Oread 
was sent to the ice-clad plains of Scythia, where 
Famine chiefly dwelt. Arriving at Mount Cau- 
casus, the nymph found her in a stony field, tear- 
ing up with teeth and claws the scanty herbage. 
The pale goddess obeyed the command of Ceres, 
and visiting the dwelling of LHrisichthon, she’ 
breathed upon him as he slept. Awaking he 
craved food, but the more he consumed, the more 


144 MyrHoLoay. 


his hunger raged. In vain the unhappy man 
spent all his substance to obtain relief; he was 
reduced to misery and famished as before. He 
had one daughter called Mestra, an only child, 
whom he sold to procure food. The maiden 
scorned to be a slave, and standing with her pur- 
chaser on the sea-shore, she lifted her hands, and 
invoked the aid of Neptune. The god immedi- 
ately changed her form, so that she appeared to 
be an aged fisherman mending nets. 

The master, strangely surprised at the sudden 
disappearance of his slave, questioned the sup- 
posed fisherman. Mestra replied that she had 
Seen no one, and he proceeded to search for the 
fugitive elsewhere. She then resumed her own 
form, and returned to her father, who was 
well pleased to find that he had still both his 
daughter and the money for which he had sold her. 
He again resorted to this base expedient, but as 
often as Mestra was sold, she was transformed, by 
the favor of Neptune, now into a horse, now an 
ox, and now a Bias and so escaped from her 
purchaser. 

All means oe) insufficient to supply the 
wants of the unhappy Erisichthon, who was com- 
peuled by hunger to devour his own flesh before 
denth came to end his misery. 


CHAPTER XXXTII 
Poets of Classic Fable. 
HOMER-—HESIOD—VIR GIL—OVID. 


Ques. Who was Homer ? 

Ans. Everything relating to this poet is involved 
in obscurity. The two biographies of him which 
were formerly attributed to Herodotus and Plu- 
tarch, are evidently fabulous; their real authors 
are not known. Nothing is known certainly re- 
garding Homer’s parentage, his birth-place, or 
even the exact era in which he lived. Seven cities 
contended for the honor of having given this 
great poet to the world; these were Smyrna, 
Chios, Col/ophon Sal’amis, Rhodes, Argos and 
Athens. 

Smyrna appears to have the best claim, and it 
is considered certain that the poet was by birth 
an Jonian ; ‘the Jonic is the dialect employed in his 
works, with a slight mixture, however, of the 
Aolic, and other forms. With regard to the time in 
which Homer lived, there is much difference of 
opinion among the learned,some placing him in 


146 Ports oF CLAssIc Pine 


the ninth, others in the tenth century before our 
era. The latter opinion is the more probable. 

According to the account generally given, 
Homer was for many years a schoolmaster in 
Smyrna. He afterwards abandoned this occupa- 
tion, and spent some time in travelling. 

He made several voyages in the company of a 
sea captain named Mentes; but at length his 
sight became so much affected that he was 
obliged to remain on shore at Ithaca. While in 
this island, he was kindly entertained by a 
wealthy man named Mentor, who related to him 
the traditionary tales on which he afterwards 
founded the Odyssey. 

Becoming totally blind, Homer returned to 
Smyrna, where he probably composed the greater 
part of his poems. He afterwards led a wander- 
ing life, gaining wealth and fame by the recita- 
tion of his verses. He died at Ios, one of the 
Cyclades, where he was buried. The fame of 
Homer is founded on his two great poems, the 
Iliad and the Odyssey. The first of these has 
been always considered among the finest produc- 
tions of human genius. Homer is distinguished 
not only for his sublimity, but for the high moral 
tone which pervades his works. 

Ques. Who was Hesiod ? 

Ans. This poet flourished about half a century 
later than Homer. He was a Boeotian, and in his 
youth tended sheep upon Mount Helicon. He 
emigrated afterwards to Orchomenos, in western 

scotia, where he died. 


MYTHOLOGY. 147 


The only complete works of Hesiod now extant 
are the “ Works and Days,” and the Theogony, or 
“ Birth of the Gods.” ‘The latter work consists of 
along and rather tedious catalogue of the gods 
and goddesses ; it is valued as containing an ac- 
curate account of the Grecian deities. The de- 
scription of the Battle of the Titans and the Gods, 
at the close of the work, is considered one of the 
most sublime passages in classic poetry ; Milton 
has borrowed from it in his Battle of the Angels. 

Ques. When did Virgil flourish ? 

Ans. Publius Virgilius Maro, was born near 
Mantua in the year 70, B. C. He received a lb- 
eral education, and inherited from his father a 
considerable estate. Of this he was deprived 
during the civil troubles which distracted Italy, 
but it was afterwards restored at the intercession 
of a powerful friend. His gratitude towards this 
kind benefactor, and the happiness felt by the 
poet in the peaceful possession of his patrimony, 
form the subject of his first pastoral poem or 
Eclogue. Virgil enjoyed the favor of Augustus, 
with the friendship of Meecenas and other gener- 
ous and powerful patrons ; his life was, therefore, 
spent in ease and prosperity. He died at Brun- 
dusium, in the year 19, B. C. 

The Eclogues, sometimes called also Buco'lica 
or Bucolics, are ten short pastoral poems. The 
fourth, entitled Pollio, has given rise to much 
speculation on account of its striking coincidence 
with Scripture. Many suppose that the poet 
was acquainted with the prophecies of Isaiah. 


148 Ports oF Cuiassic FABLE. 


The Georgics treat of agriculture, the care of 
cattle, the raising of bees, ete. These peaceful 
arts had been much neglected in Italy during the 
civil wars; Virgil hoped to revive the taste for 
rural pursuits, by his beautiful descriptions of 
country life. The Aineid, the last and greatest 
of his works, is an epic poem in twelve books. 
It is a history of the wanderings of Aineas, and 
the settlement of the Trojans in Italy. . 

Virgil is considered inferior to Homer in sub- 
limity, but he exceeds him in sweetness and in 
the beauty of his descriptions. The moral, and 
even to a certain extent the religious spirit which 
pervades his writings is beyond praise, and places 
him almost alone among the poets of antiquity. 

Ques. When did Ovid write ? 

Ans. Ovidius Naso was born in the year 48, 
B. C., at Sulmo (now Sulmona), a town about 
ninety miles distant from Rome. The date of his 
birth is rendered memorable in history by the 
murder of the great Cicero. Ovid belonged to an 
equestrian family ; he was educated at Rome, and 
enjoyed every advantage that splendid capital af- 
forded. He showed his taste for poetry at an 
early age, but was dissuaded from cultivating this 
art by his father, who wished him to apply exclu- 
sively to the study of eloquence. Ovid gained 
some distinction as an orator ; but when the death 
of his elder brother left him sole heir to an ample 
fortune, his natural inclination prevailed, and he 
cave himself up to literary pursuits. A career of 


Myrnonoey. 149 


unexampled prosperity was now orened to the 
poet. He enjoyed the favor of Angustus, and the 
friendship of the most distinguished men in Rome; 
his verses were universally admired, they were 
sung in the streets and at entertainments, or were 
recited in the theatre amid bursts of applause. 
Ovid was not content with the nobler pleasures of 
fame and friendship, but plunged without re- 
straint into all the vices and follies of which the 
Roman capital was the centre. This career of 
prosperity and pleasure was brought suddenly to 
a close. Ovid was banished by Augustus to Toni, 
(now 'Temiswar) on the shores of the Euxine. 
The decree was executed with the utmost se- 
verity. But one wretched night was allowed 
to the poet to deplore his fate, and take leave 
of his friends. His wife begged in vain to be 
allowed to accompany her husband in his ex- 
ile. It is not known by what crime the unfortu- 
nate poet merited so severe a punishment. The 
immoral tendency of some of his poems, was the 
ostensible reason set forth by the emperor; but 
these verses had been written many years before. 
It is evident, therefore, that he must have offend- 
ed Augustus in some manner which the latter did 
not choose to make public. Ovid wrote, in his 
exile, poems appropriately named “ 'Tristia,’ in 
which he bewails his hard fate, and describes the 
scenes by which he was surrounded. From the 
severity of the climate, and the inroads of the 
barbarians, the fields were without grain, the hills 


150 MytTHoLoey. 


without vines; no stately oaks clothed the moun- 
tain-side, no willows drooped along the banks; a 
scanty growth of wormwood alone covered the 
desolate plains. Spring brought with it neither 
birds nor flowers. In Summer, the sun was ob- 
scured by clouds; the Autumn shed no fruits; 
but through every season of the year, the wintry 
winds blew with prodigious violence, and lashed 
the waves of the boisterous Euxine on its desert 
shore. The only animated object was the wild 
Sarmatian driving his car, yoked with oxen, across 
the icy waste, himself wrapped in furs, his shaggy 
hair and beard sparkling with the hoar frost and 
flakes of snow. Such was the abode for which 
the poet was compelled to exchange the theatres, 
the porticoes and gardens of Rome, the court of 
Augustus, and the sunny skies of Italy. He died 
in the ninth year of his exile, and the sixty-first 
of his age. 

The poems of Ovid, however beautiful other- 
wise, are all more or less objectionable on account 
of their immoral tendency; the corruption of the 
author’s private character has left its impress on 
all his works. 

The claim of Ovid to be numbered among the 
poets of mythology, rests chiefly on his Metamor- 
phoses. This is a collection of legends of all the 
transformations said to have taken place in hea- 
then mythology, beginning with the earliest times, 
and closing with the changing of Julius Cesar 
‘into a star. The stories are not themselves origi- 


Ports oF Cxassic Fapir. 151 


nal; they are principally Greek and Oriental fic- 
tions, interspersed, perhaps, with a few Latin or 
Etruscan fables. There are, in all, two hundred 
and fifty of these stories. Ovid was engaged in 
correcting this, his greatest work, when ke was 
surprised by the sentence of banishment. Ina fit 
of impatience and despair, he threw it into the 
flames. Some of his friends possessed copies, 
and the poem was thus preserved. 

If the Metamorphoses had been destroyed by 
this rash act, we would have lost many interest- 
ing fables which have been rendered immortal by 
the beauty of Ovid’s verse and his graceful fancy. 

The ‘Tristia are not so generally admired. 
They turn principally on the poet’s personal mis- 
fortunes ; and this subject, however absorbing to 
himself, soon becomes wearisome to the reader. 
Ovid composed a poem in the harsh dialect spo- 
ken by the Getze who dwelt on the borders of the 
Euxine Sea. The barbarians listened with delight 
to his recitations, until.their anger was excited by 
his constant complaints of their rude manners 
and inhospitable climate. 


CHAPTER XXXIV. 
Heroes Celebrated by the Poets. 


AGAMEMNON. 


Ques. Who was Agamemnon ? 

Ans. He was king of Mycenzx, and commander- 
in-chief of the Grecian forces during the siege of 
Troy. The combined fleet was detained for a 
Jong time at Aulis, owing to the wrath of Diana, 
whom Agamemnon had offended by killing one of 
her favorite deer. Calchas, the soothsayer, was 
consulted ; he declared that the goddess could 
only be appeased by the sacrifice of Iphige’nia, 
the oldest daughter of the monarch. She was 
accordingly led to the altar, but Diana was moved 
with pity, and carried the maiden with her to 
Tauris, leaving a hind in her place. The quarrel 
of Agamemnon with Achil’les, and the troubles 
that resulted, form the principal subject of Ho- 
mer’s Iliad. In the division of captives, after the 
taking of Troy, Cassandra, one of the daughters 
of Priam, fell to the lot of Agamemnon. This 
princess had been endowed by Apollo with the 
gift of prophecy, but as she refused afterwards to 


HeErRoES CELEBRATED BY THE Ports. 153 


listen to the suit of that god, he decreed that no 
one should attach any credit to her predictions. 
It was so in the present instance. Clytemnestra, 
the queen of Agamemnon, believing, and perhaps 
hoping, that her husband would not return, had 
given a promise of marriage to Aigisthus, who al- 
ready considered himself king of Mycenx. Cas- 
sandra warned Agamemnon against returning 
thither, but her prediction was disregarded. Aga- 
memnon was assassinated immediately on his 
arrival at Mycenz; according to the tragic poets, 
it was Clytemnestra who dealt the fatal blow. 


ACHILLES, 


Ques. Who was Achilles ? 

Ans. He was the son of Peleus, king of Phthi- 
o'tis in Thessaly ; his mother was Thetis, a sea- 
goddess. Many incredible stortes are told con- 
cerning the manner in which the hero was nursed 
in his infancy. According to one account, his 
mother designed to make him immortal, and for 
that purpose anointed him with ambrosia during 
the day, and laid him in the fire at night. The 
fears of Peleus interrupted this strange treatment, 
and Achilles remained subject to death. Calchas 
had declared that Troy could not be taken with- 
out his aid, and Thetis, who was aware that her 
son was destined to perish if he joined the expe- 
dition, disguised him in female attire, and con- 
cealed him among the daughters of King Lyco- 


154 MytTHoLoey. 


me’des. Ulysses was sent to discover his retreat, 
which he effected by the following stratagem. 
Attired as a travelling merchant, he presented 
himself at court, and displayed before the queen 
and her maidens, various articles of female attire. 
Some pieces of armor were disposed among the 
merchandise ; by the order of Ulys’ses, a trumpet 
* was suddenly blown, when the disguised Achil’les 
betrayed himself by seizing the armor. The 
young warrior was then obliged to join:the expe- 
dition. During the siege, Achil’les had a dispute 
with Agamemnon, concerning some female cap- 
tives ; considering himself wronged, he withdrew 
from the contest, and no entreaties could induce 
him to return to the field. The death of his friend 
Patroclus, who fell by the hand of Hector, at 
length aroused him to action. Achil’les’ armor, 
which he had lent to Patroclus, had become the 
spoil of Hector, and it was upon this occasion 
that Vulcan fabricated for the hero, the famous 
suit which is described in the Iliad. Arrayed in 
this Achilles performed prodigies of valor, and at 
length killed Hector, after a desperate combat. 
According to Homer, Achil’les took an ignoble re- 
venge on the dead body of his foe, which he 
dragged at his chariot-wheels, three times around 
the tomb of Patroclus. The corpse of the Trojan 
hero was yielded at last, to the tears and suppli- 
cations of Priam, and a truce was granted to the 
Trojans, for the performance of the funeral rites. 
Achilles was himself slain soon after; his ashes 


Herorts CELEBRATED BY THE Ports. 155 


were mingled in a golden urn with those of Pa- 
troclus, and a tomb was erected to both heroes, 
on the promontory of Sigoeum. | 

The vindictive spirit of Achil’les knew no 
repose, even in death. After the fall of Troy, 
his ghost appeared to the Greeks, and com- 
manded them, with fearful menaces in case 
of refusal, to sacrifice on his tomb, Polyxena, 
one of the daughters of Priam. The unhappy 
maiden was torn from her mother’s arms, and 
immolated by Pyrrhus, the son of Achil’les. Hec’- 
uba learned soon after the sad fate of her son 
Polydorus. This young prince, who had been 
commended by Priam to the care of Polymnestor, 
king of Thrace, was treacherously murdered by 
that monarch. The bereaved mother planned a 
terrible revenge. Promising disclosures with re- 
gard to hidden treasures, she induced Polymnes- 
tor and his children to visit her in secret. Then, 
aided by her fellow captives, Hec’uba murdered 
the young princes and put out the father’s eyes. 
While endeavoring to escape from the vengeance 
of the Thracians, she was suddenly transformed 
into a dog. 


CHAPTER XXXYV. 
ULYSSES. 


Ques. Who was Ulys’ses ? 

Ans. He was king of Ithaca, and had been, like 
many other princes of Greece, a suitor of the 
beautiful Helen. Believing that he had no hope 
for success among so many competitors, Ulys’ses 
asked the hand of Penel’ope, daughter of Icarus. 
His suit was granted; but when he was about to 
depart with his bride, Icarus was so much grieved, 
that he tried to persuade Penel’ope to remain with - 
him, and not accompany her husband to Ithaca. 
Ulys’ses bade her act according to her inclination. 
saying that she was free to remain, if such was 
her desire. Penel/ope made no reply, but dropped 
her veil over her face. Icarus urged her no 
longer, and when she was gone, he erected a sta- 
tue to Modesty, on the spot where they part- 
ed. When the Grecian princes were called upon 
to revenge the abduction of Helen, Ulys’ses was 
unwilling to leave his peaceful kingdom, and sac- 
rifice the happiness he enjoyed in the company of 


MyTHOoLOoGyY. tsa 


Penel/ope. Hearing that Palame’des had come to 
summon him to the field, he pretended to be in- 
sane. He yoked a horse and a bull together, and 
began ploughing the sands of the sea-shore, sow- 
ing salt instead of grain. Palame/des caused Tel- 
em’achus, the infant son of Ulys’ses, to be laid be- 
fore the plough, and the manner in which the 
father hastened to remove the child, convinced 
every one that his insanity was feigned. He was 
obliged, therefore, to join the expedition against 
Troy, but he never forgave Palame’des for having 
exposed his stratagem. The manner in which 
Ulys’ses revenged himself is not calculated to give 
us avery high opinion of the hero. During the 
siege, he brought forward a false accusation 
against Palame’des, which he supported so well, 
that the latter was condemned, and put to death. 

Ulys’ses distinguished himself daring the war, 
by his wisdom and prudence in council, and his 
courage on the field of battle. We have already 
spoken of the part which he took in carrying off 
the Palladium of Troy. As a reward for his ser- 
vices, he received the armor of Achil’les, which 
Ajax had disputed with him. 

After the fall of Troy, Ulys’ses embarked with 
the intention of returning to Greece, but he met 
with so many extraordinary adventures, that it 
was only after ten years of peril and hardships, 
that he was permitted to land upon the shores of 
Ithaca. 

The Odyssey, the second of the two great poems 


153  Herors CELEBRATED BY THE POETS. 


attributed to Homer, is a history of the wander- 
ings of Ulys’ses. After some adventures of mi- 
nor importance, the ships of the hero were over- 
taken by a storm which drove them southward 
for nine days, and as many nights, until they 
reached the country of the Lotus-eaters. When 
the tempest abated, Ulys’ses sent some of his 
companions on shore. They were kindly enter- 
tained by the Lotus-eaters, who regaled them 
with their own favorite food, the lotus plant. 
This was of such a nature, that all who partook 
of it, forgot home and friends, and were filled with 
a sort of indoleat contentment, so that they had 
no other desire than to remain always in that 
country. Ulys’ses was obliged to have these men 
dragged away by force, and even then, it was 
necessary to bind them with ropes to the benches 
of the ship. 

The escape of Ulys’ses from the cavern of the 
Cyclops and from the enchantments of Circe has 
been already related. After passing safely be- 
‘ tween Scylla and Charybdis, Ulys’ses landed in 
the island of Vhrinakia, where the cattle of 
Hyperion (the Sun) fed in verdant pastures. Circe 
had warned the voyagers that these flocks should 
be held inviolate, however pressing their wants 
might be. They were detained a long time at 
Thrinakia by contrary winds ; and Ulys’ses bound 
his companions by an oath that they would not 
touch the sacred herds. They were, however, 
so pressed by famine that they ventured one day, 


Herots CELEBRATED BY THE Ports. 159 


in the absence of Ulys’ses, to slay-a number of the 
sacred cattle; vainly endeavoring to propitiate 
the offended god, by offering a portion in sacrifice. 
Ulys’ses returning to the shore, was struck with 
horror at their temerity, the more so on account 
of the fearful signs which followed. The skins 
crept on the ground, and the joints of meat lowed 
on the spits while roasting. 

As the wind was now favorable, Ulys’ses has- 
tened to fly from the fatal island. The ven- 
geance of the god pursued them on the sea, and 
a terrible storm arose, in which all perished, ex- 
cept Ulysses himself, who was spared as having 
taken no part in the sacrilege. He formed a raft 
from the fragments of his ship, aud was at length 
cast by the waves upon the island of the nymph 
Calypso. This goddess entertained Ulys’ses with 
much kindness, and even offered to share her 
immortality with the hero, if he would consent to 
forget Ithaca and dwell forever in her happy island. 
Jupiter, however, sent Mercury to Calypso, with 
the command that she should dismiss Ulys’ses, 
and provide him with all that was necessary for 
his homeward voyage. 

The goddess reluctantly obeyed; a raft was 
constructed and furnished, and Ulys’ses departed 
from the island. He sped prosperously for some 
days, and was almost within sight of land, when 
a violent storm arose, in which he would have 
perished had he not been aided by a compassion- 


160 MyrHonoay. 


ate sea nymph ; Minerva, also, smoothed the bil- 
lows before him, and he swam safely to land. 

The Pheewcians, on whose shores he had been 
cast, received him kindly, and fitted out a ship 
in which he sailed for Ithaca. Ulys’ses was 
asleep when the vessel touched the strand. The 
Pheeacians carried him on shore without awak- 
ing him, and placed near him a chest filled with 
costly gifts, after which they sailed away. Nep- 
tune was so much displeased with the Phzacians 
for aiding Ulys’ses, that, as their vessel was re- 
turning to port, he transformed it into a rock, 
which continued ever after to obstruct the mouth 
of their harbor. 

The arrival of the hero could not have oc- 
curred more opportunely for the deliverance of 
his wife, the faithful Penel’ope. When a long 
time had elapsed after the fall of Troy, and no 
tidings were received of Ulys’ses, it was generally 
believed that he had perished. More than a hun- 
dred nobles of Ithaca and the surrounding islands, 
became suitors for the hand of Penel/ope; she 
however still cherished the hope of her husband’s 
return, and refused to entertain any proposal of 
marriage. The suitors nevertheless persisted ; 
they remained in the palace, which they filled 
with riot and feasting, and continually urged Pen- 
el’ope to choose a husband from among their 
number. She promised, at length, that she would 
de so when she had completed a certain web of 
embroidery on which she was engaged. They 


HeERors CELEBRATED BY THE Ports. I161 


agreed to wait, and Penel’ope deceived them for 
a long time, plying her needle diligéntly during 
the day, and undoing the greater part of her work 
at night. This device succeeded for three years, 
at the end of which time the suitors became so 
importunate that Penel/ope could no longer resist. 
She promised, therefore, that she would marry 
that man who should send an arrow from the 
bow of Ulys’ses, through twelve rings suspended 
inaline. The conditions were accepted: and 16 
was on the very eve of the day appointed for the 
contest, that Ulys’ses landed in Ithaca. It was 
necessary to conceal his return; for this purpose 
the hero disguised himself as a beggar, and by 
the aid of Minerva, so changed his whole appear- 
ance that it was impossible for any one to recog- 
nize him. In this character he was kindly re- 
ceived by Eumeus, a swine-herd, from whom he 
learned all that had transpired, and the present 
distress of Penel’ope. 

Telem’achus, the son of Ulys’ses, had been ab- 
sent for a long time in search of his father. He 
had visited the courts of the other kings who had 
taken part in the Trojan war, but without obtain- 
ing any certain tidings. While still engaged in 
this quest, Minerva bade him return to Ithaca ; 
he obeyed, and the goddess contrived that he 
should arrive on the same day with his father, 
and meet him in the hut of Eumeus. After 
mutual explanations, and affectionate greetings, 
the two heroes consulted as to what measures 


162 MyTHoLoey. 


they should take for the punishment of the suit- 
ors, and the deliverance of Penel’ope. It was re- 
solved that Telem’achus should proceed to the 
palace, and mingle with the suitors, as formerly ; 
that Ulys’ses should also go, but in the disguise 
of a beggar. Such persons were often admitted, 
in ancient times, to the halls of chieftains and 
princes, where they entertained the guests with 
stories of their wanderings, and were regaled 
with a portion of the viands. On their arrival at 
the palace, they found the usual scene of riot and 
festivity. The suitors received Telem’achus with 
affected joy, although secretly mortified at the 
failure of their plots against him. As Ulys’ses 
entered, a dog which lay in the court, half dead 
with age, raised his head in sudden recognition, 
fawned upon his old master, and expired. It was 
Argus, whom Ulys’ses had often led to the chase. 
The banquet proceeded, but Telem’achus had 
much difficulty in dissembling his feelings when 
the suitors made his father a subject of mockery ; 
and one of them carried his insolence so far as to 
strike the disguised hero. At length, the time 
arrived for the contest of skill which was to de- 
cide the fate of Penel’ope. Twelve rings were 
suspended at equal distances, and Telem’achus 
brought from the armory the mighty bow of 
Ulys'ses, with its quiver of arrows; taking care, 
at the same time, to remove all other weapons 
from the hall. 
The first thing to be done, was to bend the bow, in 
order to attach the string. This Telem’achus 


Herrors CELEBRATED BY THE Ports. 163 


tried to do, and was obliged to confess that his 
strength was unequal to the effort. He passed 
the bow to one of the suitors, who was compelled 
to yield it in turn, amid the raillery of his com- 
panions. When several had failed in the same 
manner, Ulys’ses begged that he might be allowed 
to try his skill. The request was received with 
shouts of derision, and some would have driven 
the insolent beggar from the hall. Telem’/achus 
interfered, and remarking, with affected indiffer- 
ence, that they might as well gratify the old man, 
bade him try. Ulys’ses took the bow, and the 
suitors were amazed to see him handle the mighty 
weapon as if it had been a plaything. Their sur- 
prise was still greater, when, having adjusted the 
cord, and chosen an arrow from-the quiver, he 
took such steady aim that the arrow sped uner- 
ringly through all the rings; he then exclaimed, 
“ Now for another mark!” and aimed a second 
shaft at the most insolent of the suitors. He fell 
dead, and as the others rushed forward, Telem‘a- 
chus placed himself by his father’s side, with Eu- 
mus and other armed retainers. The suitors, de- 
prived of their weapons, and terrified at the as- 
pect of the injured prince, whom they recognized 
too late, turned to fly, but Humezus secured the 
doors. <A desperate struggle ensued, in which all 
were slain, and Ulys’ses was left master of his pal- 
ace and his kingdom. The Odyssey conclcdes 
with a description of the rejoicings which followed, 
and the happiness enjoyed by Ulys’ses and Penel’- 
ope after their long separation. 


CHAPTER XXXVL 


ORESTSHS. 


Ques. Who was Orestes ? 

Ans. He was the son of Agamemnon and Cly- 
temnestra. At the time of his father’s assassina- 
tion, Orestes, then a child, was saved by his sis- 
ter Electra, who sent him secretly to their uncle 
Strophius, king of Phocis. Here he formed a 
friendship with Pylades, the son of that monarch, 
which was so true and constant that it passed 
into a proverb. Orestes was urged by messages 
fiom his sister Electra, to avenge the murder of 
his father, and her counsels were confirmed by 
the responses of the oracle of Apollo at Delphi. 
Orestes, accompanied by his friend Pyl’ades, re- 
paired in disguise to Mycenez. Here he an- 
nounced himself to Clytemnestra as a messenger 
from Strophius, bringing news of the death of her 
son Orestes. ‘The guilty queen feigned to grieve 
at these tidings, but Mgisthus made no effort to 
conceal his satisfaction. Orestes was now seized 
with horror at the thought of the deed which he 
was about to commit, but the reproaches of Elec- 


Henors CELEBRATED BY THE Ports. 165 


tra, and the remembrance of his father’s cruel 
fate, banished every thought of pity, and he slew 
Clytemnestra and Aigisthus with his own hand. 
This act, however justified by the guilt of Clytem- 
nestra, and the express command of the gods, was 
abhorrent to nature, and could not pass una- 
venged. Orestes was pursued by the Furies, and 
wandered frantic and despairing from land to 
land, always accompanied by the faithful Pyl’ades. 

The oracle of. Apollo was consulted, and the 
Pythia declared that Orestes would not be de- 
livered until he had visited the Tauric Cherso- 
ne’sus, and brought from thence to Argos, a cer- 
tain statue of Diana, from the temple of that god- 
dess. It was the custom at T'auris, to sacrifice 
all strangers at the altar of Diana; Orestes and 
Pyl’ades were accordingly seized on their arrival, 
and carried as victims to the temple. The offici- 
ating priestess was no other than Iphigenia, the 
sister of Orestes, whom Diana had saved when 
she was about to be immolated at Aulis. Per- 
ceiving that the strangers were Greeks, she of- 
fered to spare the life of one, on condition that he 
would be the bearer of a letter to Greece. 

This proposal gave rise to a memorable 
contest of friendship, each desiring to sacrifice 
himsetf for the other. Pyl’ades at length yielded 
to Orestes, and consented to take the letter. His 
surprise was great on perceiving that it was ad- 
dressed to Orestes himself; an explanation fol- 
lowed, and Iphigenia resolved to fly from Tauris | 


166 MyTHoLoay. 


with her brother. Their plans were so well laid, 
that they not only succeeded in escaping unob- 
served, but were also enabled to carry off the 
statue of Diana, which they brought to Argos. 

Orestes reigned many years in Mycenex, and 
was married to his cousin Hermi’one, daugh- 
ter of Menela/us and Helen. Pyl/ades married 
Electra, the sister of his friend. 

The tragic poets add many incidents to the 
story of Orestes. They say that when pursued 
by the Furies, he took refuge in the temple of 
Apollo, at Delphi. By the command of that god, 
he repaired to Athens, where he was tried by the 
court of Areop’agus. ‘The judges were divided in 
their sentiments, but Minerva interfered in behalf 
of Orestes, and he was acquitted. 


HECTOR. 


Ques. Who was Hector? 

Ans. He was the son of Priam and Hec’uba, 
and the most valiant of all the Trojan chiefs who 
fought against the Greeks. The Fates had de- 
creed that Troy should not be taken as long as 
Hector lived. The hero knew that he was des- 
tined to fall before the walls of his native city, 
and that he could at best only postpone the ruin 
of his country for a little time. Not discouraged 
by this, he performed prodigies of valor, and slew, 
with his own hand, Patroclus, the friend of Achil’- 
les. He next went out to meet Achil'les himself, 


Herors CELEBRATED BY THE Ports. 167 


notwithstanding the remonstrances of Priam and 
Hee’uba, and the tears of his wife Androm’ache. 
He, fell as we have seen, and this event was shortly 
followed by the overthrow of his father’s king- 
dom. Hector was not only distinguished as a 
warrior and a patriot; he was equally admirable 
as a son, husband, and father; and his character 
is perhaps the noblest which has been described 
by any writer of antiquity. 

When Troy was taken, Calchas excited much 
uneasiness among the Greeks, by a. prediction, 
that if Asty’anax, the son of Hector, were permit- 
ted to live, he would one day avenge his father’s 
death, and raise Troy from its ruins. Diligent 
search was therefore made for the child, who had 
been concealed by his mother in the recesses of 
Hector’s tomb. Here he was discovered by 
Ulys’ses. Disregarding the prayers of the unhap- 
py Androm/ache, the Grecian commanders pre- 
cipitated the boy from the summit of a lofty tower. 


CDIPUS—ETEOCLES AND 
POLYNICES. 


Ques. What was the story of these princes? 

Ans. Gidipus was the son of La/‘ius, king of 
Thebes. He was exposed by his father immedi- 
ately on his birth, to avoid the fulfillment of an 
oracle which declared that La’tus was destined to 
fall by the hand of one of his children. (édipus 
was found by a herdsman, who brought him to 


168 MytTHoLoGy. 


Pol’'ybus, king of Corinth. This monarch was 
childless, and adopted the infant as his own. 

When Cidipus was grown to manhood, he de- 
sired to learn something of his real parentage, 
and went to consult the oracle of Delphi. The 
god warned him to shun his native country, de- 
claring that if he returned thither, he would be- 
come the murderer of his father, and be guilty of 
crimes which would draw upon him the yen- 
geance of the gods. Qidipus understood this of 
Corinth, and instead of returning to that city, 
proceeded to Thebes Here he slew his father 
La‘ius in an accidental encounter, and, after his 
victory over the Sphinx, which we have already 
mentioned, he fulfilled the other predictions of 
the oracle. 

CGidipus reigned many years in Thebes before 
he discovered his parentage, and the crimes which 
he had unknowingly committed. In his despair, 
he put out his eyes, and went into exile, leaving 
the throne to his sons Ete’ocles and Polyni‘ces. 
It was agreed between the brothers that they 
should reign each a year alternately. Ete’ocles 
first ascended the throne ; but when the year had 
expired, he refused to resign the crown. Polyni’ces 
was indignant at this breach of faith, and fled to 
Argos, where he married the daughter of King 
Adrastus. ‘This monarch assembled a large army 
to enforce the claims of his son-in-law. The 
command of the expedition was given to seven 


HEROES CELEBRATED BY THE POETS. 169 


chieftains, who were to attack each one of the 
seven gates of Thebes. 

After all the Argive leaders, except Adrastus, 
had perished before the walls, it was proposed 
that Ete’ocles and Polyni’ces should decide the 
war by single combat. The brothers fought with 
such animosity that both fell, mortally wounded. 
The battle was then renewed, and the Argives 
were totally defeated. Creon, the uncle of the 
fallen princes, was now king of Thebes; he had 
the body of Ete’ocles honorably buried, but he left 
the remains of Polyni’ces exposed to the dogs and 
vultures, and forbade, under pain of death, that 
any one should bestow on him the rites of sepul- 
ture. He thus carried his vengeance beyond the 
eraye, as, according to Greek superstition, the 
souls of the unburied were excluded for a hun- 
dred years from the Elysian fields. 

Antig’one, the daughter of Gidipus, had, mean- 
while, accompanied. her father in his exile, and 
watched over him with touching devotion until 
death released her from this filial duty. She no 
sooner learned the cruel order of Creon, than she 
resolved, at whatever hazard, to perform the fu- 
neral rites for Polyni’ces. She succeeded in ap- 
proaching the corpse, which she covered with 
earth, making the usual libations. 

While thus engaged, Antig’/one was seized and 
brought before Creon. She defended nobly the 
pious act which she had performed, and was 
condemned by the tyrant to be entombed alive. 


170 MyrnoLoay. 


The misfortunes of Gidipus and his children 
have been celebrated by three Greek tragedians; 
Aischylus, Sophocles and Euripides. In the 
tragedy of Sophocles which bears her name, the 
character of Antig’one is beautifully drawn. 
We have the sternest heroism, tempered always 
by the tenderness of filial piety and sisterly devo- 
tion. The whole presents the finest ideal of wo- 
manly excellence which can be found in the writ- 
ings of any ancient poet. 

The following lines are taken from Dale’s trans- 
lation of the Antig’one. Creon reproaches the 
heroine with having violated the laws; she re- 
plies : 


‘“‘Ne’er did eternal Jove such laws ordain, 
Or Justice, throned amid th’ infernal powers, 
Who on mankind these holier rites imposed— 
Nor can I deem thine edict armed with power 
To contravene the firm unwritten laws 
Of the just gods, thyself a weak frail mortal ! 

I knew before 

That I in die, though thou had’st ne’er proclaimed it, 
And if I perish ere th’ allotted term, 
I deem that death a blessing. Who that lives 
Like me encompassed by unnumbered ills, 
But would account it blessedness to die ? 
If then I meet the doom thy laws assign, 
It nothing grieves me. Had I left my brother, 
From my own mother sprung, on the bare earth 
To lie unburied, that, indeed, might grieve me ; 
But for this deed I mourn not.” , . 


CHAPTER XXXVII. 


4ZGNEAS. 


(ues. Who was Aine’as ? 

Ans. He was a Trojan chief, the son of Venus 
and Anchi/ses. He was born on Mount Ida, 
where he was nurtured by the Dryads until he 
had attained his fifth year, when he was brought 
to his father. Anchi’ses was not on friendly terms 
with the family of Priam, but this coldness did 
not prevent Aine’as from exerting himself to the 
utmost in defence of his country. Excepting 
Hector only, there was no Trojan who so distin- 
guished himself by his valor. When Troy was 
taken, Aine’as made his escape from the burning 
city, bearing on his shoulders the aged Anchi'ses, 
and leading his little son Ascanius by the hand. 
His wife was separated from him in the confusion 
and darkness, and perished by the sword of the 
enemy. Anchises bore with him the sacred 
Penates of Troy, and his household gods. Atne’as 
was joined by the greater part of the Trojans, 
both men and women, who had escaped from the 
horrors of that fatal night. They concealed them- 


172 MyTHoLoay. 


selves in the neighboring mountains until the 
Greeks had departed, after which they constructed 
a fleet of twenty sail. In the second year after 
the destruction of Troy, the remnant of the Tro- 
jans embarked under the guidance of Aine’as in 
search of new settlements. After many wander- 
ings and adventures, they landed at Epirus, and 
were rejoiced to learn that Hel’enus, one of the 
sons of Priam, was reigning in that country. He 
had married Androm’ache, and the meeting of 
/Hine’as with the widow of the great Hector is the 
subject of a very beautiful passage in the Aineid. 
The Penates of Troy had appeared at night to 
Anchi'ses, and revealed to him that Italy was the 
land allotted by the Fates to the exiled Trojans. 
Jine’as recalled a prediction of Cassandra to the 
same effect; and Hel’enus, who was endowed 
with the gift of prophecy, now confirmed what 
had been already foretold. He rendered his ex- 
iled countrymen all the assistance in his power, 
and dismissed them at length, loaded with costly 
eifts. Adne’as was destined to pass through many 
perils before landing on the shores of Italy. In 
the seventh year of their wanderings, the Trojans 
were driven by a storm on the coast of Africa ; here 
they were kindly entertaimed by Dido, who was 
then engaged in the erection of her new city of 
Carthage. The queen admired the great quali- 
ties of the Trojan chief, and felt her heart moved 
with compassion at the sight of so much unde- 
served misfortune. She resolved, therefore, to 


HEROES CELEBRATED BY THE POETS. 173 


share her throne with the hero, and to offer his 
followers a permanent settlement in the couniry. 
This proposal seems not to have been displeasing 
either to Aine’as or to the Trojans. Forgetiful of 
the decrees of fate, they lingered many months 
in idle pleasure, and Aine’as was only roused to 
action by the direct intervention of the gods. Ju- 
piter sent Mercury to the hero, commanding him 
to embark without delay, and proceed to his des- 
tined settlement in Italy. Adne’as obeyed, and 
made the necessary preparations for departure, 
disregarding the tears and reproaches of the 
queen. 

When Dido found that all was unavailing, and 
that the Trojans had already embarked, she killed 
herself in despair. 

Aine’as spent some time in Sicily, where he cele- 
brated funeral games:in honor of his father, who 
had died there the preceding year. He left with 
Acestes, a Trojan prince who governed a part of 
the island, the women, the aged men, and all who 
were likely to be useless in the wars which await- 
ed him. A®ne’as next landed at Cume, in Italy. 
This was the abode of a famous Sibyl, of whom 
we will speak elsewhere. She foretold to the 
hero much that was to happen during his settle- 
ment in Italy; but in order that he might be 
fully informed of the future destinies of his race, 
she offered to conduct him to the world of shades. 
Aine’as having plucked, in the sacred grove, a 
golden bough as a gift to Proser’pine, descended 


174 MyrHoLoey. 


with the Sibyl to the dreary realms of Pluto, 
After seeing much that was wonderful, and pass- 
ing through regions inhabited by different classes 
of departed souls, they entered the happy plains 
of Elysium. This was the abode of the heroes 
and other favorites of*the gods. Here, in a fra- 
grant meadow, Aine’as found the shade of An- 
chi’ses, who showed him the souls which were 
destined to return to earth, and become the future 
heroes of Rome. Anchi’ses also recounted to 
ftine’as the glorious deeds which they were one 
day to perform. In this passage, Virgil takes 
occasion to gratify the vanity of Augustus and 
the great families of Rome, by introducing their 
names and actions in the prophetic discourse of 
Anchi’ses. 

Returning to upper air, Aine’as took leave of 
the sibyl, and pursued his voyage along the Ital- 
ian coast, anchoring at length in the mouth of the 
Tiber. 

The country around was governed by a prince 
named Latinus, the son of Faunus and the nymph 
Marica. This prince had one child, a daughter 
named Lavinia. Her hand had been promised to 
‘Turnus, prince of the Rutulians, but Latinus was 
warned by an oracle that his destined son-in-law 
was to come from afar, and that Lavinia was to 
wed a foreigner. When Aune’as sent an embassy 
to Latinus, requesting permission to settle in the 
country, that prince believed that the Trojan 
chief was the person pointed out by the oracle, 


Heroes CELEBRATED BY THE Ports. 175 


and invited him to his palace. All now seemed 
to promise a peaceful settlement to the harassed 
Trojans, but the enmity of Juno was not yet ap- 
peased. She sent the Fury Alecto to the palace 
of Turnus, with orders to excite this prince against 
the stranger, who was about to rob him of his 
promised bride. A long war ensued, which forms 
the subject of the concluding books of the Aineid. 
At length Turnvs fell in a personal combat with 
Aine’as. The hand of Lavinia was the price of 
victory, and from the Trojan hero were descend- 
ed the founders of Rome. 

The Aineid concludes with the death of Turnus, 
but we have some further particulars handed 
down by tradition. Atneas built a city, called 
from his bride, Lavinium. Here he governed his 
Trojan and Italian subjects, who became one 
people under the common name of Latins. The 
new kingdom was attacked by several of the 
neighboring princes, led by Mezentius, king of 
Etruria. Aineas defeated the allies, but was 
killed in the moment of victory. The family of 
Julii, made illustrious by Julius Cesar, claimed 
descent from Iulus, grandson of Aineas. | 


CHAPTER XXXVIITL. 
SIBYLS—AUGURS 


Ques. Who were the Sibyls ? 

Ans. The Sibylle, or Sibyls, were certain fe- 
males, supposed to be inspired by Heaven, who 
flourished at different times and in different parts 
of the world. According to the historian Varro, 
they were ten in number. The most celebrated 
was the Cumean Sibyl, of whom the poets give 
the following account. Apollo sought the love of 
the young prophetess, and promised to give her 
whatever she should demand. The sibyl desired 
that she might live as many years as she had 
erains of sand in her hand; but as she forgot to 
ask for health and youthful bloom, this long life 
proved rather a burden than a benefit. She had 
rejected the suit of Apollo, and the god refused, 
therefore, to withdraw his gift or mitigate the 
severity of her lot. ‘This sibyl had already lived 
seven hundred years when Aine’as came to Italy, 
and six centuries still remained of the time grant- 
ed by Apollo. She accompanied Aine’as on his 
visit to the lower world. According to a well- 


SIBYLS AND AUGURS. TET 


known Roman legend, one of the sibyls came to 
the palace of the second Tarquin with nine vol- 
umes, which she offered to sell at a very high 
price. The king declined the offer ; the sibyl im- 
mediately disappeared and burned three of the 
volumes. Returning soon after, she asked the 
same price for the remaining six books; and 
when Tarquin again refused to buy them, she 
burned three more, and still persisted in demand- 
ing the same sum of money for those that were 
left. This extraordinary conduct astonished the 
monarch, and with the advice of the Augurs he 
bought the books, upon which the sibyl disap- 
peared and was never seen aiter. These books 
were preserved with great care, and were called 
the Sibylline Verses. A college of priests was ap- 
pointed to take charge of them, and:they were 
consulted with the greatest solemnity, whenever 
the state seemed to be in danger. When the Capi- 
tol was burned in the troubles raised by Sylla, the 
Sibylline Verses are said by some to have perished 
in the conflagration. It is believed, however, on 
good authority, that they were in existence as late 
as the fourth century, when they were destroyed 
by command of the Emperor Honorius. Various 
collections were afterwards made, which are gen- 
erally admitted to be forgeries. 

Different opinions have prevailed with regard 
to the prophecies of the sibyls, some of which, it 
is said, pointed clearly to the advent of a Re- 
deemer, the time of his coming, and the submis- 


178 MyrHouoay. 


sion of Rome to the new dispensation. It has 
been thought that these passages were invented 
by later Christian writers, but Bishop Horsley, a 
learned English divine, thinks it more reasonable to 
suppose that the sibylline books contained the re- 
cords of prophecies which were granted in primi- 
tive times, to nations outside of the patriarchal 
and Jewish races. He cites in favor of this opin- 
ion, the fact that St. Justin, in his apology ad- 
dressed to the Emperor Marcus Antoninus, ap- 
peals confidently to the sibylline prophecies, 
and at that time, about the middle of the second 
century, it was not possible that the Christians 
should have added anything to them. There are 
also passages in the fourth Hclogue of Virgil 
which prove that the expectation of a Saviour, 
and the belief that the time of his advent was ap- 
proaching, existed even among the pagans. 


Divination by Omens—The Augurs. 


Ques. Who were the Augurs ? 
' Ans. They were priests whose office it was to 
observe and interpret omens. This science was 
derived from the ancient Etrurians. ‘There were 
five principal classes of omens from which the 
Augurs were supposed to foretell future events, 
the good or ill success of an undertaking, ete. 
The first were drawn from the phenomena of na- 
ture, such as thunder, lightning, comets, ete. 
The second kird of omen was obtained by obsery- 


SIBYLS AND AUGURS. 179 


ing the cries and the flight of birds. In the third 
class we may place the appetite of the sacred 
chickens; when they did not eat, the omen was 
so bad that it was considered unlucky to give 
battle, or undertake anything of importance. It 
happened once that a Roman commander, (Clau- 
dius Pulcher,) when about to engage the fleet of 
the enemy, was warned by the Augurs that the 
sacred chickens would not eat. He replied, with 
very natural contempt, that if they would not eat, 
they might drink, and had them thrown into the 
sea. It is believed that the terrible defeat the 
Romans suffered on that day was owing, in great 
part, to the discouragement of the sailors, who 
supposed that their commander had forfeited the 
favor of the gods by this act of sacrilege. 

Omens were drawn from the appearance. of the 
entrails of animals offered in sacrifice, also from 
the meeting with quadrupeds in any unaccus- 
tomed place. | 

The fifth class of omens was taken from differ- 
ent casualties, such as spilling salt, stumbling on 
the threshold, sneezing, meeting a hare, wolf, fox, 
ete. Some of these last superstitions prevail, 
more or less, to the present day. 


CHAPTER XXXIX. 
ORACLES. 


Ques. What do you understand by oracles? 

Ans. The places where the heathen divinities 
were supposed to answer those who consulted 
them, were called oracles. This word was also 
applied to the responses given. 

(ues. Name some of the more famous oracles ? 

Ans. Among the most celebrated were, the ora- 
cles of Jupiter at Dodo’na; of Apollo, at Delphi ; 
of Trophonius, near Lebe’dea in Beeotia ; of Jupi- 
ter Ammon, in the deserts of Lybia; of Auscu- 
lapius at Epidaurus; and the Castalian Fount. 

(Jues. Describe the oracle of Dodo’na. 

Ans. Dodo'na was a town of Epirus, probably 
situated in the valley now called Joannina, but 
the exact site has not been ascertained. In the 
earlier times Jupiter gave answers to his votaries 
by means of a so-called vocal oak or beach. Bra- 
zen instruments, suspended from the higher 
branches, clashed together when moved by the 
wind. The priestesses who were appointed to 


ORACLES. 181 


explain the responses of the oracle could attach 
whatever meaning they pleased to these inartic- 
ulate sounds. later, the Corcyrians presented to 
the temple a brazen caldron surmounted by a 
figure of the same metal; the statue held in its 
hand a whip, the lash of which consisted of three 
chains, each having an astragalus (a small bone) 
at the end. These, when moved by the winds, 
struck the caldron, and produced so continuous 
a sound that four hundred vibrations were some- 
times counted before it ceased. Demosthenes 
tells us that the responses delivered to the Athe- 
nians at Dodo’na were carefully preserved in the 
public archives; their reverence for the oracle 
did not, however, prevent them from accusing 
the priestess of being influenced by bribes when 
they were dissatisfied with her answers. 

The oracle of Dodo!na was probably the most 
ancient in Greece. The temple was founded by 
the Pelasgi long before the siege of Troy ; it was 
partially destroyed by the A‘tolians during the 
Social War, and it would seem that it never re- 
covered from this disaster. The town existed 
many centuries later ; and we read of a bishop of 
Dodo’na who attended the council of Ephesus. 

Ques. What does Diodorus tell us concerning 
the oracle at Delphi? 

Ans. This historian relates that a shepherd, 
while feeding his flocks on the side of Mount 
Parnassus, observed that his sheep and goats, on 
approaching a certain cavity in the earth, began 


182 MYTHOLOGY. 


to skip and dance about in an extraordinary man- 
ner. As he drew near to examine the cause of 
this phenomenon, the vapors, exhaling from the 
earth, affected him in the same way; his body 
was convulsed, and he spoke words which revealed 
futurity. Others experienced similar effects, and 
the exhalation was supposed to have a certain 
divine property. The cavity was approached 
with reverence; a tripod was placed over it; 
and a priestess or Pythia was appointed to pre- 
side. The words which she uttered when under 
the influence of the vapor were considered to be 
inspired by Apollo; crowds came to consult the 
oracle ; a temple was built; and the city of Delphi 
arose insensibly around the spot. 

As the oracle grew in repute it became necessary 
to appoint a second and a third Pythia to answer 
those who came to consult the god. The Pythia 
could not prophesy until she had become intox- 
icated by the vapor from the sanctuary. This 
effect was not produced at all times, and on some 
days it was not permitted to consult the oracle. 
' Spring was considered the most propitious sea- 
son. When Apollo was favorably disposed, his 
approach was made known by the moving of a 
laurel that stood before the gate of the temple. 
The sacred tree was then seen to tremble in every 
leaf. 

The Pythia was obliged to prepare by fasts, 
sacrifices and purifications before she ascended 
the tripod. When under the influence of the 


ORACLES. 183 


mysterious vapor, her hair stood erect, her eyes 
flashed, she foamed at the mouth, and a convul- 
sive trembling seized her whole body. 

She then spoke prophetic words, which were 
carefully noted by the attendant priests. The 
oracles were sometimes in verse, but more com- 
monly in prose; in the latter case they were im- 
mediately versifed by poets employed for that 
purpose. 

Many remarkable pintlés are recorded by He- 
rodotus as having been delivered at Delphi, but 
as a general thing the answers were ambiguous, 
and so cautiously worded as to seem true, what- 
ever might be the event. Such was the answer 
given to Cree/sus, king of Lydia, when he con- 
sulted the oracle concerning the result of his ex- 
pedition against the Medes. The Pythia told 
him that by crossing the river Halys he would 
ruin a great empire, but as she did not say what 
empire, whether his own or that of his enemies, 
the oracle could not fail of being fulfilled. There 
is no doubt that the Pythia was often influenced 
_ by persuasion or bribes, and many illustrious per- 
sons were accused of having bought the oraeles 
they desired. 

The temple of Apollo at Delphi was enriched 
by the offerings of different princes, and the sur- 
rounding nations vied with one another in the 
magnificence of their gifts. The building was 
destroyed by fire in the year 548 B. C., but was 
soon rebuilt. Xerxes, after having forced the 


184 MyTHoLoey. 


pass of Thermopyle, sent a detachment of his 
army to plunder the treasures of Delphi. The 
expedition was unsuccessful, owing, as the Del- 
phians asserted, to a manifest interposition of the 
deity. Afterwards, Philome’lus, a Phocian gen- 
eral, seized these treasures to pay his troops. 
He is said to have carried off, in ‘gold and silver, 
a sum equal to ten million dollars. Still later 
Delphi was threatened by the Gauls, under their 
king Brennus. According to Pausanias, the 
city and temple were saved by Pan, as we have 
seen in the account given of that god; but others 
declare that the invaders possessed themselves of 
ereat booty. Sylla also plundered Delphi, and 
Nero took from it, at one time, no less than five 
hundred statues of bronze. 

The temple was finally dismantled by Constan- 
tine the Great, who adorned his Hippodrome 
with the sacred tripods 

No traces are known to exist of the cavern 
whence issued the sacred vapor, but some have 
thought it might be discovered by searching in 
- the central part of the ruins of the ancient city. 

(Jues. Who was Trophonius, and for what was 
his oracle remarkable ? 

Ans. Trophonius, and his brother Agame’des 
were the architects of the temple of Apollo at 
Delphi. According to one legend, when the edi- 
fice was finished, they asked the god to reward 
them for their labor. Apollo promised that he 
would recompense them on the seventh day, and 


ORACLES. 185 


bade them live happily during the interval. On 
the seventh night the brothers died in their sleep. 
The oracle is said to have been discovered on the 
following occasion: In a time of severe drought, 
the Beeotians consulted Apollo at Delphi, and 
were directed to seek aid from Trophonius in 
Lebadea. They proceeded thither, and seeing 
a swarm of bees enter a chasm in the earth, they 
followed and discovered a deep cavern. Here 
they found the oracle of Trophonius, and the aid 
they sought. 

Ques. What ceremonies were observed in con- 
sulting this oracle ? 

Ans. The votary was first purified by solemn 
ablutions ; then, after offering sacrifice, and drink- 
ing of a water called Lethe, or oblivion, he de- 
scended by means of ladders into the first, or up- 
per cavern. The opening into the lower cave 
was extremely narrow, and there was apparently 
nothing to aid the descent. Here, those who 
were courageous enough to advance, lay upon the 
ground with their feet within the entrance, taking 
care to hold in each hand a certain composition 
of honey. They were then carried downwards 
with great force, as by the current of a rapid river. 
In the mysterious depths of the lower cave, the 
future was revealed, but not to all in the same 
manner; some saw, Others heard what they de- 
sired to know. : 

Tt has been frequently asserted that those who 
entered the cave of Trophonius never smiled 


186 MyrHooey. 


Ques. Where was the temple of Jupiter Arm- 
mon ? 

Ans. It was situated in an oasis of the Libyan 
desert, called by the ancients Ammon, and by 
the modern Arabs, Siwah. It is about five de- 
grees west of Cairo. 

The temple is said to have been founded 
by Bacchus under the following circumstances. 
While marching through the Libyan desert, Bac- 
chus came to a barren waste of sand where his 
whole army was in danger of perishing for want of 
water. He called on Jupiter for aid, and a ram 
suddenly appeared, which guided them to a ver- 
dant oasis, in the midst of which sparkled a clear 
fountain. Bacchus erected on the spot, a tem- 
ple which he dedicated to Jupiter. As the sur- 
rounding country was called Hammo’des from 
Hammon or Ammon, sand, the god was wor- 
slipped here under this title, and was always rep- 
resented as having the head and horns of a ram. 
The temple soon became celebrated as an oracle, 
_ and was enriched, like that of Delphi, by splen- 
did offerings. When Camby’ses invaded Egypt, 
he sent a large body of troops across the desert 
to seize its treasures. As nothing was ever heard 
of this expedition, it seems probable that the 
Persians were purposely misled by their Egyp- 
tian guides, and thus perished in the desert. 
Alexander the Great visited the temple of Jupiter 
Ammon to question the oracle as to his parentage ; 
and the priests, who were undoubtedly apprised 


ORACLES. 187 


of the object of his visit, did not wait to be ques- 
tioned, but saluted the king as the son of Jupiter. 
The site of this temple was discovered in the last 
century by an English traveller, but the latest 
and best account is given by Belzoni, who visited 
it in 1816. The oasis is about six miles in 
length, with an average breadth of four miles. It 
is fertile and produces in abundance, rice, wheat 
and fruits. The ruins of the temple are not exten- 
sive; they are, however, interesting, as many 
pieces of sculpture, including figures of goats with 
rams’ heads, are found in a good state of preser- 
vation. In a beautiful grove of palms, towards 
the centre of the oasis, is the famous Fons Solis, 
or Fountain of the Sun, which does not, however, 
correspond with the description given by Hero- 
dotus. According to that historian, this fountain 
was always tepid at dawn, icy cold at noon; it 
grew warm again towards sunset, and was boiling 
hot at midnight. Belzoni says that this account 
is quite exaggerated, although the water of the 
fountain felt to him much warmer at midnight 
than at noon-day. The truth seems to be that 
little or no change takes place in the fountain, 
which is well shaded and very deep. The great 
change which really takes place in the atmo- 
sphere is probably the cause of the apparent vari- 
ation in the temperature of the fountain. Belzoni 
had no thermometer with him, so that he was un- 
able to test the truth of this supposition. 
Ques. Where was the oracle of Aisculapius ? 


188 MytTrHonoay. 


Ans. This god was consulted by the sick in 
many places, but his most celebrated oracle was 
in his native city of Epidaurus in Argolis. This 
oracle was so famous that in the year 293 B. C., 
when a terrible pestilence was raging in Rome, 
the Senate sent a solemn embassy to Epidaurus 
to implore the aid of Adsculapius. The god was 
propitious, and accompanied the returning em- 
bassy in the form of a serpent. According to an- 
other account, the priests sent to Rome a sacred 
serpent which they nourished in the temple. 

Ques. What was particularly remarkable in the 
oracles of Adsculapius ? 7 

Ans. It would seem that the priests, who had 
probably some skill in medicime, made use of 
every means calculated to encourage the votaries, 
and inspire them with a confident hope of recoy- 
ery. ‘They were obliged to sleep in the temple, 
and we should judge, from the accounts given by 
ancient writers, that they were subjected to a 
treatment closely resembling what we now call 
animal magnetism, or mesmerism. 

The temple of Epidaurus was plundered by 
Sylla to defray the expenses of the war against 
Mithridates. 

(Jues. Where was the Castalian Fount ? 

Ans. There were two celebrated springs of that 
name; one on Mount Parnassus, which was 
sacred to the Muses, and another near Daphne, 
in Syria. This last was believed to impart the 
knowledge of futurity to those who drank of its 


i 


ORACLES. \ at Cad oe 


and we should judge, from the accownts-given by, 


ancient writers, that they were subjected™to-a 
treatment closely resembling what we now call 
animal magnetism, or mesmerism. 

The temple of Epidaurus was plundered by 
Sylla to defray the expenses of the war against 
Mithridates. 

Ques. Where was the Castalian Fount? 

Ans. 'There were two celebrated springs of that 
name; one on Mount Parnassus, which was 
sacred to the Muses, and another near Daphne, 
in Syria. This last was believed to impart the 
knowledge of futurity to those who drank of its 
waters. The oracle of this fountain promised the 
empire to Hadrian, while he was yet in a private 
station. When he ascended the throne, he had 
the fountain shut up with stones. 

Ques. What opinions did the early Christian 
writers hold with regard to the heathen oracles? 

Ans. They believed that although the responses 
were to be attributed, as a general thing, to mere 
human jugglery and imposture, there were occa- 
sions In which it was impossible to doubt the 
direct agency of evil spirits. We read in Scrip- 
ture that Satan spoke by the mouths of the pos- 
sessed, and none were more likely to fall under 
this demoniac influence than the priests and other 
ministrants in these shrines of imposture. Many 
instances are recorded where Christians imposed 
silence on oracles by pronouncing the name of 
Jesus Christ, or by the sign of the cross; and 


190 MYTHOLOGY. 


sometimes the same effect was produced by their 
simple presence in the temple. 

(Jues. At what period did the oracles cease to 
give responses ? . 

Ans. No exact date can be assigned; as Chris- 
tianity spread, these impostures fell gradually 
into disrepute, and were at length entirely aban- 
doned. It has been asserted that the oracles be- 
came silent at the birth of Christ, but this is an 
error. Milton, however adopts this idea in his 
beautiful Hymn of the Nativity. 


‘<The oracles are dumb ; 
No voice or hideous hum 
Rings through the arched roof in words deceiving. 
Apollo from his shrine 
Can no more divine, 
With hollow shriek the steep of Delphos leaving. 
No nightly trance or breathed spell 
Inspires the pale-eyed priest from the prophetic cell.” 


CHAPTER XL. 


CLASSIC GAMES. 


Ques. Why is a notice of these games appropri- 
ate in this place? 

Ans. Because they were closely connected with 
the religious observances of the Greeks. They 
were begun and ended with solemn sacrifices, and 
formed a part in the celebration of the principal 
festivals held in honor of the gods. These re- 
marks apply also to the Greek drama. 

Ques. What games were solemnized in Greece? 

Ans. They were of four kinds: the Olympic, 

the Pythian, the Ne’mean, and the Isthmian. 
Ques. Who instituted the Olympic games ? 

Ans. They were very ancient; their first insti- 
tution was attributed by the Greeks to Hercules. 
They were revived by Iphitus, king of Elis, who 
obtained for them the solemn sanction of the 
Delphic oracle. The Olympian games were cele- 
brated at intervals of forty-nine and fifty Innar 
months alternately, so that they fell sometimes in 
the month Apollonius, (July); sometimes in the 


192 Merioocy. 


month Parthenius, (August). The time of their 
celebration was a period of sacred truce, suffi- 
ciently prolonged to enable persons to attend the 
games from every part of Greece, and return to 
their homes in safety. The interval between the 
celebrations was called an Olympiad, and the 
Greeks usually counted time in this manner. The 
Olympiads were reckoned only from the year 776, 
B. C., although the games had been revived by 
Iphitus more than a century earlier. The Olym- 
pic festival lasted five days. ‘The games consist- 
ed of chariot, horse and foot races; leaping, 
wrestling, boxing, throwing the discus or quoit, 
etc. All persons were admitted to contend in 
these games who could prove that they were free, 
of pure Hellenic blood, and that their characters 
had never been stained by any base or immoral 
act. So great was the importance attached to 
race, that even the kings of Macedon were 
obliged to prove their Hellenic descent before 
they were allowed to enter as competitors. It is 
almost impossible for us to realize the importance 
attached by the Greeks to a victory gained in 
any of these exercises. The prize itself was a 
crown of wild olive. This was cut from a tree in 
the sacred grove of Olympia, which was said to 
have been brought by Hercules from the land of 
the Hyperboreans. A palm branch was at the 
same time placed in the victor’s hand, and his 
name was proclaimed by the herald. On his re- 
turn home, more distinguished honors awaited 


CLASSIC GAMES. 193 


him. He entered his native city, not by the gate, 
but through a breach made in the walls for his 
reception. Banquets were given to him by his 
friends, at which odes were sung in honor of his 
victory. The horse and chariot races held the 
highest rank, and singularly enough, the honor 
of the victory belonged to the owner of the horse 
or chariot, although he himself should not have 
been present at the games. 

The Greek historians relate that three couriers 
were received by Philip of Macedon on the same 
day, each being the bearer of joyful tidings. The 
first announced that his general had gained a 
great victory ; the second, that his horse had won 
the prize in the Olympic games; while the third 
brought news of the birth of his son, afterwards 
Alexander the Great. This passage is sufficient 
to show what importance was attached to such a 
victory, when we see it thus classed as an event 
of equal importance with the success of an army, 
and the birth of an heir to a great kingdom. 

Alcibiades on one occasion entered seven four- 
horse chariots in the Olympic games, and carried. 
off the first, second and third prizes. The poet 
Euripides celebrated this victory, and Alcibiades, 
after offering solemn sacrifices to Jupiter, feasted 
the entire multitude assembled .o witness the 
games. Ladies were admitted to dispute the 
prizes at Olympia, and many are mentioned as 
successful competitors. Cynisca, the sister of 
Agesilaus, king of Sparta, first opened this path 


194 MyrnHouoey. 


of glory to her sex, and was proclaimed conqueror 
in the four-horse chariot race. This victory, till 
then unexampled, was celebrated with all pos- 
sible splendor. A magnificent monument was 
erected in Sparta in honor of Cynisca, and the 
Lacedzemonians, who were generally indifferent 
to the charms of verse, engaged a poet to transmit 
this new triumph to posterity. The princess 
dedicated a brazen chariot in the temple of Apollo 
at Delphi; in this votive offering, the charioteer 
was also represented ; which proves that she had 
not driven the chariot herself at the games. This 
is a feat which, it is believed, no woman ever at- 
tempted. The portrait of Cynisca, drawn by the 
great Apelles, was afterwards placed in the same 
temple. 

Ques. Were any other exercises admitted at the 
Olympic games ? 

Ans. Yes; there was also an intellectual com- 
petition, which was perhaps more lively and ar- 
dent than any other, as the victory in such a con- 
test was more highly esteemed. The best writers 
and poets of Greece repaired to the Olympic 
games, believing that the approbation of so illus- 
trious an assembly was the most certain means 
of establishing a great reputation in a little time. 
It was thus that Herodotus read his history to 
assembled Greece. It was received with enthusi- 
astic applause, and the names of the nine muses 
were immediately given to the nine books which 
compose the work. Dionysius was not so fortu- 


CLASSIC GAMES. 195 


nate. This prince believed himself the most ex- 
cellent poet of the time, and employed profes- 
sional readers to recite some of his pieces at 
Olympia. When they began to read these verses, 
their clear and harmonious voices pleased the ear, 
and they were listened to at first with great at- 
tention, which gradually decreased as they went 
on, until the whole assembly burst forth into 
hooting and shouts of laughter, so absurd did the 
pretensions of the royal poet appear. 

Whaat we have said of the Olympic Games, may 
be applied with some little variation to those sol- 
emnized in other places. 

Ques. By whom were the Pythian Games insti- 
tuted ? 

Ans. According to Greek fable, by Apollo him- 
self, in commemoration of his victory over the 
serpent Python; according to the more probable 
historic account, they originated at the time when 
the Delphic oracle had already gained some rep- 
utation. The Amphictyonic council was charged 
with the superintendence of the games, which 
were celebrated at first every ninth, and after- 
wards every fifth year. The crown bestowed 
was of bay. . 

Ques. Where were the Ne'mean games celebrat- 
ed? 

Ans. At Ne'mea, a city.of Argolis, celebrated 
as the haunt of the lion slain by Hercules. They 
were said to have been restored by that hero, and 
were celebrated every third year. The crowns 


196 MyrTHo.oey. 


bestowed on the victors were of parsley, because 
these were originally funeral games, and it was 
customary to lay chaplets of parsley on the 
tombs of the dead. The ruins of Ne’mea are to 
be seen near the modern village of Kutchumadi. 

Ques. Why were the Isthmian Games so 
called ? 

Ans. They were named from the Isthmus of 
Corinth, where they were celebrated. They were 
instituted in honor of Melicertes, who was changed 
into a sea deity. After falling into neglect, these 
games were restored by Theseus. They were 
celebrated every five years, and continued to be 
solemnized even after the destruction of Corinth 
by the Romans. The victors were at first re- 
warded with garlands of pine leaves, but this cus- 
tom was changed, and the pine was replaced by 
a crown of withered parsley. 


CHAPTER XLI. 
THEATRES. 


Ques. Did the theatrical representations of the 
Greeks resemble those of modern times ? 

Ans. They differed widely, both in the arrange- 
ment of the drama, and the mode of representa- 
tion. The greatest distinction lay, perhaps, in 
the structure of the theatre itself. 

Ques. Describe the general plan of a Greek 
theatre ? 

Ans. It was quite open above, and the dramas 
were always acted in the,light of day, beneath the 
bright canopy of a southern heaven. The Ro- 
mans at a later period introduced awnings to 
screen the audience from the sun, but the Greeks 
would have regarded such a precaution as a mark 
of effeminacy ; and it must be admitted that their 
milder climate rendered it almost unnecessary. 
If a storm or a shower came on, the play was, 
of course, interrupted ; the gods and heroes dis- 
appeared, and the audience sought shelter in the 
lofty colonnade which always ran behind their 
seats. They chose to suffer these occasional in- 


198 MytTHoLoey. 


conveniences, rather than shut themselves up in 
a close and crowded house, and forfeit the sunny 
brightness of what was to them a national, and 
even, in some sort, religious solemnity. To have 
covered in the stage itself, and imprisoned gods 
and heroes in a gloomy apartment artificially 
lighted, would have appeared to the ancients in 
the highest degree absurd. 

The great theatre of Bacchus, at Athens, is the 
only structure of the kind of which a complete 
description has reached us. It may serve to give 
a general idea of these edifices. 

This theatre stood on the southeastern side of 
the eminence which was crowned by the noble 
buildings of the Acropolis. From the level of the 
plain below, a semicircular excavation ascended 
far up on the slope of the hill. Round the con- 
cavity, seats for an audience of thirty thousand 
persons arose, range above range; higher still, 
the whole was enclosed by a lofty portico adorned 
with statues and surmounted by a balustraded 
terrace. For the convenience of entering and 
leaving, the tiers of benches were divided at inter- 
vals, by passages extending around the theatre, 
and again transversely, into wedge-like masses, 
by flights of steps which radiated from the lowest 
tier to the portico above. The lower seats, being 
more conveniently placed for seeing and hearing, 
were esteemed the most honorable, and were re- 
served for the high magistrates, the priests and 
the Senate. Below, was the semicircular orches- 


THe THEATRE. 199 


tra, or pit, which was generally occupied by the 
chorus. Elevated above the orchestra, and op- 
posite the lower seats, was the stage itself. This 
had a very wide front and but little depth. The 
actors usually spoke in the central part, called 
logeum, or pulpitum. Behind this, the stage 
grew deeper, and formed a quadrangle called the 
proscenium. This was enclosed by lofty build- 
ings of stone-work, representing externally a 
palace-like mansion, and containing within with- 
drawing rooms for the actors, and receptacles for 
the stage machinery. When the nature of the 
play rendered it necessary, these buildings were 
concealed by painted scenes. In the greater 
number of tragedies, however, the whole action 
might be carried on appropriately enough in the 
portico or court of a palace. There were also 
contrivances by which a portion of the interior 
might be exposed to view. The rank of the 
personages was generally indicated by the par- 
ticular door at which they entered ; that in the 
centre of the proscenium being reserved for roy- 
alty. Wonderful effects were produced by the 
use of the machinery which was disposed behind 
the walls of the stage. Supported by ropes, or 
iron cranes, carefully concealed, gods appeared in 
the air, descended on the stage, and performed 
their allotted part In the drama. Heroes also 
ascended to Olympus, and were hidden at length 
from view by scenic clouds. In the Prometheus 
of Aischylus, Oceanus passes through the air, 


200 MyTHoLoey. 


mounted on a griffin, and a choir of fifteen ocean 
nymphs is introduced in a flying chariot. In an- 
other piece, Aurora descends and carries off the 
dead body of Memnon. Ghosts and infernal 
deities ascended from beneath the stage, where 
there were appropriate contrivances for their in- 
troduction. When it was necessary to conceal 
the stage, the curtain was not dropped, but drawn 
up from beneath the floor. 

Ques. Was there anything peculiar in the dress 
of the actors? 

Ans. The costumes were splendid, and carefully 
adapted to the rank and character of the person-— 
ages represented. ‘The actors wore masks which 
covered the entire head. When gods or heroic 
personages were represented, the masks were 
larger than life, and the disproportion of the size 
of the head with the rest of the body, was obvi- 
ated by two different contrivances. ‘The cothur- 
nus, or buskin, was soled with several layers of 
cork, which added at least three inches to the 
height of the actor, and the dress was judiciously 
padded, so as to give the whole figure the neces- 
sary heroic dimensions. Women were not admit- 
ted on the Greek stage; the female parts were 
always performed by men, wearing appropriate 
wigs and masks. 

It has been supposed that the use of masks 
must have embarrassed the actors, and made 
them appear stiff and unnatural. This may have 
been true to a certain extent, but we must remem- 


Tue THEATRES. 201 


ber that, at the distance at which the actors were 
placed from the greater part of their audience, 
the changes of expression, and the play of feature 
would have been quite lost, while the large and 
finely colored masks may have had a very good 
effect. Nothing would have seemed more out of 
place to the Greeks, than to see the part of Apollo 
or Hercules performed by an actor with strongly 
marked or ordinary features. 

The masks were lined with brass, and so con- 
structed that instead of muffling the voice, they 
gave it depth and volume, almost as a speaking 
trumpet would have done. 

Ques. What was the Chorus? 

Ans. It was a choir of singers, varying In num- 
ber from fifteen to fifty. In the intervals between 
the acts of the drama, the chorus chanted verses 
corresponding to the action of the piece, some- 
times pouring forth hymns of thanksgiving or 
supplication to the gods; sometimes chanting 
odes on the instability of human affairs as exem- 
plified in the scenes which they had just witnessed. 
At other times the chorus broke forth into lamen- 
tations over the untimely fate of some personage 
of the drama, or denounced the anger of the gods 
on the head of a fyrant. Besides this more legit- 
imate action of the chorus, it was occasionally 
permitted to take part in the dialogue. Even in 
this case they always remained in the orchestra. 

The singing was always accompanied by dances 
which varied according to the nature of the piece. 


202 MyrHowoay. 


All the movements of a tragic chorus were slow 
and grave, while in the lighter pieces, the music 
and the measures of the dance were quick and 
lively. The dress of the chorus varied in the 
same manner. In certain tragedies, these singers 
personated the Eumenides or Furies. These 
were generally robed in black, with purple gir- 
dies. They brandished whips, wreathed with ser- 
pents, in their fleshless hands, and their aspect 
was rendered still more terrible by the frightful 
masks which appeared beneath their snaky tres- 
ses. We are told that when Auschylus introduced 
such a chorus in one of his tragedies, the terror 
of the spectators was such that many fainted, and 
several children died of fright. 

In this connection we have an interesting 
story. ibycus, a lyric poet, was on his way to 
the Isthmian games, when he was waylaid by two 
robbers. The unhappy bard called in vain for 
aid ; no human help was near; but his last, des- 
pairing cry was echoed by the hoarse scream of a 
flock of cranes which was passing overhead. The 
dying poet heard, and looking upwards, prayed 
the birds to discover and avenge the crime 
which they alone had seen. The murderers heard 
this appeal, to which, however, they paid no heed 
at the time. The body of Ibycus was found and 
recognized, and the multitude assembled to wit- 
ness the Isthmian games were sorely disappoint- 
ed and dismayed at the sad tidings of his death. 
They crowded the tribunals and demanded ven- 


THe THEATRES. 203 


geanece on the murderers, but no trace could be 
found which might lead to their discovery. The 
festival proceeded, the fate of Iybcus being still 
on every tongue. The assembled people were as- 
sisting at a dramatic representation, when the 
dread chorus of the Furies advanced with meas- 
ured step, and made the circuit of the Theatre. 
The sound of instruments was heard no more 
as their choral hymn swelled and rose, thrilling 
the hearts of all who heard. They sang of the 
happiness enjoyed by the pure of heart, of the 
good man whose dwelling was never darkened by 
their shadow. Then the blood of the listeners 
grew cold with fear as they told of the vengeance 
which it was theirs to wreak on the secret mur- 
derer, on him whose crime had been vainly hid- 
den from mortal eye. Thus they sang in meas- 
ured cadence, and passed from view, while a sol- 
emn stillness settled on the vast assembly. At 
this moment a voice wasjheard from the upper 
benches, exclaiming, as if in sudden terror, ‘“ Be- 
hold, comrade! yonder are the cranes of Ibycus!” 
and a flight of cranes was seen passing directly 
over the Theatre. The name of the murdered 
poet caught the ears of the multitude. Hach one 
asked what this exclamation might mean, and 
what had the cranes to do with him. A cry was 
raised to seize the man who had spoken, and the 
one to whom his speech. had been addressed. 
The wretched murderers, thus betrayed by their 
own guilty fears, confessed the crime, and suffered 


204 MyrHoioey. 


the punishment they had deserved. Attempts 
have been made by French and German trage- 
dians, to revive the ancient chorus, but without 
success, as it is entirely unsuited to the modern 
drama. 

Ques. Were dramatic entertainments as fre- 
quent in ancient times as in our own? 

Ans. No; but they took place several times in 
the year, forming a necessary part in the celebra- 
. tion of the principal festivals. The best actors 
were engaged long beforehand, and were subject 
to heavy fines if they failed to appear on the ap- 
pointed day. When such an entertainment was 
about to take place, the people hastened to the 
theatre at the dawn of day, that they might se- 
cure good seats, as the performance commenced 
at a very early hour. There were three or four 
distinct representations during the day, divided 
by short intervals of repose. During these, the 
audience walked in the neighboring groves, 
amused themselves, and partook of the refresh- 
ments which they brought with them. When 
different dramatic poets contended for the prize 
of excellence, they generally presented two or 
three pieces each, so that twelve complete dramas 
were sometimes performed on the same day. 

(Jues. Were these theatres free to all ? 

Ans. No; each person was obliged to pay a 
small sum for admission. When Pericles wished 
to gain the favor of the Athenians, he reduced the 
entrance fee to two oboli, and obtained a decree 


THE THEATRES. 205 


that even this trifling sum should be furnished 
by the magistrates to the poorer class of citizens. 
The theatres themselves were erected, and in a 
ereat measure maintained at the expense of the 
state. ‘The cost of the entertainments must have 
been heavy, if we are to judge by the descrip- 
tions given of the scenic arrangements. It is 
even said that when groves were required, living 
trees from the forest were planted on the stage. 

Whatever may have been the faults of the 
Greek drama, there is no doubt that it was intend- 
ed to inculcate principles of religion and morality. 

The theatrical entertainments of the Greeks, 
and their public games, form a striking contrast 
to the inhuman sports of the Roman amphi- 
theatre. 


CHAPTER XLII. 
CELEBRATED STATUES. 


Ques. What are the most celebrated statues of 
the heathen divinities ? 

Ans. The Olympian Jupiter, the Apollo Bel- 
videre, the Diana & la Biche, the Minerva of the 
Parthenon and the Venus de Medicis. 

Ques. What was the Olympian Jupiter ? 

Ans. This statue, now lost, was forty feet in 
height, on a pedestal of twelve feet. It was con- 
sidered the finest work of art of the great Athen- 
ian sculptor, Phidias, and there are still in exist- 
ence busts taken from it, which are remarkable 
for their calm majesty of expression. ‘The mate- 
rial was what the Greeks called chryselephantine ; 
that is, the flesh was composed of plates of ivory 
skillfully laid on; but the drapery and ornaments 
were pure gold. This circumstance is sufficient 
to account for the destruction of the statue. It was 
executed for the temple of Jupiter af Olympia, 
which was worthy of such an adornment, being 
one of the most magnificent edifices in Greece. 

(Jues. Describe the Minerva of the Parthenon? 


CELEBRATED STATUES. 207 


Ans. The statue was of the same dimensions 
and was composed of the same materials as the 
Olympian Jupiter; it was also the work of Phidias. 
The Parthenon was one of the most beautiful 
ot the Greek temples, and was enriched by the 
hand of Phidias with statues and other orna- 
ments. This magnificent temple would have 
been sufficient in itself to confer immortal glory 
on the administration of Pericles. It existed in its 
full beauty for more than a century after his 
death. It was first despoiled by Lachares, who 
stripped the statue of Minerva of its golden adorn- 
ments. It is said he obtained in this manner an 
amount of precious metal equal to nearly half a 
million of dollars. The temple itself resisted the 
attacks of time; it was used successively as a 
Christian church and a Turkish mosque, and was 
still entire when the Venetians besieged the cita- 
del of Athens in the year 1687. The Turks con- 
verted the Parthenon into a powder magazine ; 
is was unfortunately struck by a bomb, and the 
entire edifice was reduced to its present ruinous 
condition. Some of the sculptures and bas-re- 
lefs which once adorned this temple may now be 
seen in the British Museum. They are called 
~ “iKilein Marbles,” because they were brought 
from Greece by Lord Elgin. 

Ques. Describe.the Venus de Medicis? 

Ans. This statue, still perfect, is so called from 
haying been in the possession of the Medicis 
family. An inscription on its base informs us 


208 MYTHOLOGY. 


that it was carved by Cleomenes, an Atheniar 
sculptor, 200 B. C. The artist has succeeded in 
producing a figure quite perfect in form ; but 
there is nothing spiritual about the Venus, which 
is, therefore, far inferior to the Jupiter and Mi- 
nerva. 

Ques. Describe the Apollo Belvidere ? 

Ans. This statue is so called from the Belvidere 
gallery of the Pope’s palace. The artist is un- 
known, but it is believed to be a Roman work. 
The god is represented as having just discharged 
an arrow from his bow against the monster Py- 
thon. The form and attitude are perfect, but 
the face is particularly admired for its expression 
of majesty and power. 

Ques. Describe the Diana & la Biche ? 

Ans. This beautiful statue, now at the Louvre, 
is considered the counterpart of the Apollo. The 
goddess is engaged in the chase, and a hind is 
running by her side. One hand is lifted to draw 
an arrow from the quiver. 


LFS A Regd pot ad Fl & 


CHAPTER I. 
Egyptian Divinities. 


OSIRIS—APIS—SERAPIS—ISIS— 
ANUBIS—HARPOCRATES. 


(Ques. Who was Osiris ? 

Ans. Osiris, Apis and Serapis, are three differ- 
ent names of one and the same god. Osiris was 
the son of Jupiter and of Niobe, the daughter of 
Phoroneus. He conquered Egypt, which he gov- 
erned so well and wisely as to receive divine hon- 
ors from his subjects even during his life. He 
married, as we have already learned, Io, the 
daughter of Inachus, who was more generally 
known to the Egyptians by the name of Isis. 

Osiris was cruelly murdered by his brother 
Typhon. Isis, after a long search, found his 
body, which she laid in a monument in an island 
near Memphis. Osiris became from that time 
the tutelar deity of the Egyptians. He was re- 


210 MyrHoLoey. 


garded as identical with the sun, while Isis was 
supposed, like Cybele, to personify the earth. 

(Jues. How was this goddess represented ? 

Ans. AS a woman with the horns of a cow. 
sometimes, also, as crowned with lotus. Heads 
of Isis are common among the decorations of 
Egyptian temples. After the worship of this god- 
dess was introduced into Rome, her image was 
adorned with different emblems. The mysterious 
rites of Isis became a cloak for much secret vice, 
and were repeatedly forbidden at Rome. ‘'Tibe- 
rius caused the images of the goddess to be 
thrown into the Tiber ; her worship was, however, 
afterwards revived. The abuses attending it are 
mentioned with indignation by the poet Juve- 
nal. 

(Jues. Who was Apis? 

Ans. He was the sacred bull of Memphis. The 
Egyptians maintained that the soul of Osiris 
passed after death into the body of Apis; and that 
as often as the sacred animal died, the soul 
passed into the body of its successor. 

Sacrifices were offered to this strange divinity ; 
his birth-day was celebrated with great magnifi- 
cence, and it was believed that during this festival 
the crocodiles forgot their usual ferocity, and be- 
came harmless. A temple, two chapels, and a 
court for exercise, were assigned to this god, 
whose food was always served in vessels of gold. 
Jt may be doubted whether the poor animal was 


EGyprTiaAn DTIvInIrviezs. 211 


capable of appreciating these extraordinary hon- 
ors; he was not permitted, however, to enjoy 
them beyond a stated period. If he attained the 
age of twenty-five years, he was drowned by the 
attendant priests in the sacred cistern ; his body 
was then carefully embalmed, and buried in the 
temple of Serapis. 

On the death of Apis, whether it occurred in 
the course of nature or by violence, the whole 
country was plunged into mourning, which lasted 
until his successor was found. The animal into 
whom the divinity had passed, was known by 
many extraordinary marks; a square white spot 
on the forehead, the figure of an eagle on the 
back, a white crescent on the right side, and the 
mark of a beetle under the tongue. The priests 
always succeeded in finding an animal with these 
extraordinary marks, and the happy event was 
immediately celebrated throughout Hgypt. 

Ques. How did the people obtain replies from 
the oracle of Apis? 

Ans. By various signs: the votary having pro- 
posed a question, offered food to the sacred ani- 
mal; if he ate, it was considered a favorable 
omen. It was also a good augury if he entered, 
of his own accord, a particular stall. When Ger- 
manicus offered food to Apis, the animal refused 
to eat, and this circumstance was afterwards con- 
sidered as ominous of the early fate of the Roman 
prince. 


219, MyrHouoey. 


Ques. Who was Harpocrates ? 
Ans. Horus or Harpocrates was the son of 
Osiris. He was worshipped as the god of Silence, 


and is represented as a boy, seated on a lotus- 
flower, with his finger on his lips. 


Besides the gods we have mentioned, the 
Egyptians worshipped the dog, the wolf, the croc- 
odile, the ibis, and many other animals. They 
even attributed divinity to certain plants and 
roots. Juvenal, in one of his Satires, thus ridi- 
cules their superstition : 


Who has not heard where Egypt’s realms are nam’d 
What monster gods her frantic sons have fram’d ? 
Here Ibis gorged with well-grown serpents, there 
The Crocodile commands religious fear : 

Where Memnon’s statue magic strains inspire 
With vocal sounds that emulate the lyre ; 

And Thebes, such, Fate, are thy disastrous turns, 
Now prostrate o’er her pompous ruins mourns ; 
A monkey-god, prodigious to be told ! 

Strikes the beholder’s eye with burnish’d gold : 
To godship here blue Triton’s scaly herd, 

The river progeny is there preferrd : 

Through towns Diana’s power neglected lies, 
Where to her dogs aspiring temples rise ! 

And should you leeks or onions eat, no time 
Would expiate the sacrilegious crime. 

Religious nations sure, and blest abodes, 

Where every orchard is o’er-run with gods! 


CHAPTER II. 
EASTERN MYTHOLOGY. 
Deities of the Assyrians. 


BAAL, OR BEL—MOLOCH. 


Ques. Who were these divinities ? 

Ans. The names Baal and Moloch seem to 
have been, at first, different appellations of the 
Sun; later they assumed another signification, 
and were applied to distinct deities. 

Ques. Where was the Sun worshipped under 
the name of Baal of Bel (the Lord) ? 

Ans. In Babylon. \The famous tower of Babel 
or Belus, was there devoted to his worship, al- 
though the highest apartment of the edifice 
served also as an observatory, and was the repos- 
itory of the most ancient astronomical observa- 
tions. Some writers have imagined that the 
Chaldeans and Babylonians worshipped Nimrod 
under the name of Belus, but it is generally be- 
lieved that with these nations, and the ancient 
Canaanites, this was one of the many appellations 
of the Sun. 


214 MyTHoLoey. 


Ques. What proof have we of the popularity of 
this god among the Phcenicians and Carthagin- 
ans ? 

Ans. In their proper names; as among the 
’ former, Ethdbaal, Jerubbaal; among the latter, 
Hannibal, Asdrubal. 

Ques. By whom was the worship of Baal intro- 
duced among the Israelites ? 

Ans. By King Achab or Ahab. They offered 
human sacrifices to Baal in groves, or high places, 
and on the terraces of their houses. Jeremias 
reproaches the Jews with building “the high 
places of Baalim, to burn their children with fire 
for a holocaust to Baalim.” This text shows the 
extent to which the apostate Hebrews carried 
this abominable worship. 


MOLOCH. 


Ques. Who was Moloch? 

Ans. He was a divinity of the Ammonites. 
The Pheenicians were also particularly devoted to 
his worship. Young children and infants were 
offered as holocausts to this cruel god. These 
horrid sacrifices were most frequent in Carthage. 
When the Sicilian Agathocles threatened that 
city, we are told that five hundred infants, many 
the first-born of noble parents, were consumed in 
one day on the altar of Moloch. 

(Jues. How was this god represented ? 

Ans. By a brazen image, which was so con- 


Eastern Mytuouoey. 915 


trived that when a child was laid upon its extend- 
ed arms, they were lowered, and the little victim 
immediately fell into the fiery furnace placed at 
the foot of the idol. 
Ques. Was Moloch worshipped by the Jews? 
Ans. Yes; it would seem that they were ad- 
dicted to this idolatry before their departure from 
Egypt, since Moses in many places forbids the 
Israelites, under pain of death, to dedicate their - 
children to Moloch, by passing them through fire. 
Solomon built a temple for his worship on the 
Mount of Olives. Later human sacrifices were 
offered to him in the valley of Hinnom, called 
also 'Tophet, which lay to the east of Jerusalem. 
Ques. Where does Milton refer to this god? 
Ans. Assuming that the demons or fallen an- 
gels received the worship of men, under the names 
of different heathen divinities, he thus describes 
Moloch amid the host of Satan: 


‘¢ First, Moloch, horrid king, besmear’d with blood 
Of human sacrifice, and parents’ tears ; 
Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud, 
Their children’s cries unheard, that passed through fire, 
To his grim idol. Him the Ammonite 
Worshipp’d in Rabba and her watery plain, 
In Argob and in Basan,. to the stream 
Of utmost Arnon ; nor content with such 
Audacious neighborhood, the wisest heart 
Of Solomon he led by fraud to. build 
His temple right against the temple of God, 
On that opprobrious hill: and made his grove 
The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence 
And black Gehenna call’d, the type of Hell.” 


216 MyTHo.oey. 


Ques. Who was Astaroth ? 

Ans. This goddess, called by the Greeks As- 
tarte, represented the moon, in the same manner 
as Baal was held to be identical with the sun. 
The Hebrews always connected the worshig¢ of 
these two divinities. According to Cicero, As- 
tarte was the Syrian Venus, and it is certain that 
in her worship, and the festivals celebrated in her 
‘honor, there is some foundation for this idea. 
While human sacrifices were offered to Baal, 
wheaten cakes, wine and perfumes were laid 
upon the altar of Astaroth. 

Notwithstanding these more innocent offerings, 
her worship was rendered infamous by the license 
which prevailed during these festivals, and the 
open immorality practised by her votaries. 


THAMMUZ, 


Ques. Who was Thammuz? 

Ans. This was another name for Adonis, whose 
story is of Eastern origin. His death, which we 
have already referred to in connection with the 
goddess Venus, is said to have taken place in the 
mountains of Libanus, from which the river 
Adonis flows to the sea. The Assyrian women 
mourned for him in the autumn-time. It was be- 
lieved that at this season the river changed its 
color, and ran red, as if tinged with blood. To 
this Milton alludes : 


Eastern Myrnopoay. 217 


‘«‘Thammuz came next behind, 
Whose annual wound in Lebanon allured 
The Syrian damsels to lament his fate 
In amorous ditties alla summer’s day ; 
While smooth Adonis from his native rock 
Ran purple to the sea, supposed with blood 
Of Thammuz yearly wounded.” 


The prophet Ezekiel, in relating the iniquities 
committed in Jerusalem, says that he saw women 
sitting by the north gate of the temple, who 
mourned for Adonis. (In the Hebrew, Tham- 
muz.) 


OANNES. 


Ques. Who was Oannes? 

Ans. He was a god of the Assyrians, half man, 
half fish, who was said to dwell in the sea, from 
which he came at stated times, to instruct the 
Babylonians in wisdom and science. Oannes is 
the Dagon of the Philistines. 


CHAPTER III. 
PERSIA. 


Ques. What was the religion of the ancient 
Persians ? 

Ans. We derive our knowledge of their religion 
principally from their Zend-avesta, or Sacred 
Book. 

Ques. What does the Zend-avesta contain? _ 

Ans. The doctrines of Zoroaster, an Eastern 
sage, who is thought to have lived in Bactria 
about twelve hundred years before our era. 

Ques. Was the Zend-avesta written by Zoroas- 
ter ? 

Ans. But a small portion, if any, of the Sacred 
Books were written by him, but the most ancient 
passages, which are in verse, were probably writ- 
ten soon after his time, when the knowledge of his 
doctrines was still preserved. The Parsees, or 
modern followers of Zoroaster, now scattered 
through India, say that the Zend-avesta formerly 
consisted of twenty-one books, but that the 
greater part were lost in the troubled times that 
followed the conquest of Persia by Alexander the 
Great. 


Eastern Myrnowoey. 219 


Ques. What is the form of the Zend-avesta ? 

Ans. It isin the form of a dialogue, in which 
Ormuzd, the supreme deity, replies to the inquiries 
of Zoroaster, and teaches him his will with regard 
to his creatures. 

(Jues. What were the doctrines of Zoroaster ? 

Ans. This philosopher was more enlightened 
than his contemporaries, and was probably ac- 
quainted with primitive tradition. He taught the 
existence of one supreme Being called “the 
Eternal,” who created two other mighty beings, 
and imparted to them a portion of his own eter- 
nal divinity. 

Ques. Who were these deities ? 

Ans. Ormuzd, or Oromasdes, who remained 
faithful and pure, governs the world with all the 
attributes which are given to the true God. Ah- 
riman, on the contrary, uses all his energies for 
evil; and is, in all respects, considered as a sort of 
independent demon, endowed with infinite and 
untiring malice. 

Ques. What part did each of these divinities 
take in the creation ? 

Ans. Ormuzd created men and angels, the sun, 
moon and stars, and everything which can contri- 
bute to the welfare or pleasure of his creatures. 
Ahriman created the wild beasts, poisonous ser- 
pents, etc., and sent diseases, earthquakes and 
storms. The Persians thus believed in two inde- 
pendent principles, one of good, and one of evil, 
but they worshipped only the first. 


220 MYTHOLOGY. 


Ques. Did they not worship the sun? 

Ans. They probably did in later times, but the 
early followers of Zoroaster reverenced the sun 
and fire as emblems of Ormuzd. Perpetual fire 
was kept burning on their altars. The Parsees of 
Hindostan say that they have sacred fire which 
has never been extinguished since the time of Zo- 
roaster. All the sacred fires were originally lit 
from that which Zoroaster brought from heaven. 
The Guebres, as these people are sometimes 
called, often built their temples over subterranean 
fires. 

Ques. Is there any such fire now reverenced by 
them ? 

Ans. Yes, near the town of Bakoo in Georgia, 
on the Caspian Sea, there is a perpetual flame 
issuing from a limestone rock. It is watched by 
priests, and is much venerated by the surrounding 
tribes. Pilgrimages are made to this sacred fire 
from all parts of Asia. 

Ques. What is the cause of this phenome- 
non? 

Ans. Bakoo and the surrounding country 
abound in naphtha and petroleum. The saered fire 
is simply a jet of inflammable gas escaping from 
the rocks, which, once lit, burns perpetually, as 
the supply is inexhaustible. 

Ques. Were the Persians attached to magical 
arts ? 

Ans. Yes, their priests mingled the fables of 
astrology with their astronomical learning ; hence, 


EASTERN MyrHonoay. 221 


from the word magi, is derived our word magi- 
clan. 

Ques. Where did the Persians offer their sacri- 
fices ? . 

Ans. Generally on the tops of lofty mountains. 

(Jues. When was the religion of Zoroaster sup- 
pressed in Persia? 

Ans. After the conquest of Persia, by the 
Arabs, which took place in the seventh century, 
those who refused to embrace the Koran fled to 
Hindostan, where they still exist under the name 
of Parsees. At Bombay they are an active, intel- 
ligent and wealthy class. 


CHAPTER IY. 
Hindoo Mythology. 
BRAHMA-THE VEDAS. 


Ques. What are the Vedas? 

Ans. The Vedas are the Sacred Books of the Hin- 
doos, and are much reverenced by them. They 
maintain that they were composed by Brahma, 
the Supreme Deity, at the creation. 

Ques. When do the Hifidoos think that the 
world was created ? 

Ans. At an incredibly remote period; they say 
the present arrangement of the Vedas was made 
by a sage named Vyasa, some five thousand years 
ago. 

(ues. What is the more correct opinion ? 

Ans. That they were written in the second 
thousand years before our era, a little later, pro- 
bably, than the Books of Moses. 

Ques. Had the Hindoos then conquered the 
country which now bears their name ? 

Ans. No; they were only crossing the borders 
of India. 


EASTERN MytTHooey. O95 


Ques. In what form are the Vedas written ? 

Ans. In poetry. The principal Veda contains 
ten thousand double verses. These works are 
heavy and uninteresting, but very important to 
historians. 

(ues. Why so? 

Ans. Because they throw lght on the early 
history of the Indian and European races. 

Ques. What do the Vedas teach of God ? 

Ans. They teach one supreme deity, called 
Brahma, and like the Persians seem to have some 
idea of the Trinity, speaking of Brahma, Vishnu, 
and Siva, as one God. The modern Hindoos, 
however, worship them as distinct divinities. 

Ques. What are the offices of these gods? 

Ans. Brahma created all things, Vishnu pre- 
serves them, and when the end of the world is 
come, which the Vedas say will occur in about 
twelve million years, Siva will destroy them. 

Ques. What is there peculiar in the history of 
Vishnu ? 

Ans. His Avatars, or incarnations, which are 
numerous, but ten are more especially celebrated. 

Ques. What was the first Avatar? 

Ans. The first Avatar was when Vishnu as- 
sumed the form of a fish, and saved Manu, the 
father of the human race, from a universal de- 
luge. 3 

Ques. What is the ninth Avatar ? 

Ans: In the ninth Avatar, Vishnu appeared in 
the form of Krishna, a sort of Indian Apollo ; the 


224. MytTHouoay. 


last of the Sacred Books is that which contains 
the life of Krishna. 

Ques. What is there remarkable about this life ? 

Ans. So many circumstances closely resemble 
corresponding events in the life of our Saviour, 
that it is impossible the coincidence should be 
accidental. It is supposed this book was written 
after our era by some one who had heard imper- 
fect accounts of the life of our Lord. 

Ques. What is to be the tenth Avatar ? 

Ans. The tenth’Avatar is called Kalki, in which 
Vishnu will come to judge the world, destroying 
the wicked and rewarding the good. 

Ques. What do you say of Siva ? : 
Ans. Siva, or Mahadeva, as he is more gener- 
ally called, has a vast number of followers. His 
worshippers and those of Vishnu form two dis- 
tinct sects. Brahma, having finished his work, 
has but one temple in India. It is doubtful 
whether the worshippers of Juggernaut belong 

to the sect of Vishnu, or of Siva. 

Ques. What do the Hindoos believe of the 
soul? 

Ans. They think that every soul is a part of 
Brahma, as a spark is a part of the fire, and that 
finally all souls will be absorbed into Brahma, 
as drops of water are lost in the ocean. They 
also believe in metempsychosis. 

Ques. What is metempsychosis ? 

Ans. The transmigration of souls. The Hin- 
doos believe that if a man lead a pure life, his 


Eastern MytTHo.oey. 225 
soul will pass, after death, into another human 
body; but that if he has been wicked, it will 
enter into the body of some unclean animal. 
They think the soul will transmigrate many 
times before being finally united to Brahma. 
This belief makes many of the Hindoos afraid to 
kill animals for food, lest they may possess hu- 
man souls, and be perhaps their own friends or 
relations. 

(ues. What are Castes ? 

Ans. They are different classes into which the 
Hindoos have been divided from the earliest 
times. 

(Ques. How many castes are there? 

Ans. Four; the Brahmins or priests, who 
sprung from the head of Brahma; the Warrior 
caste, which issued from his arms; the Agricultu- 
rists and Traders, who came from his thighs, and 
lastly, the Sudras, or laborers, who sprung from 
his feet. 

Ques. Is there much distinction between the 
castes ? 

Ans. Yes; they cannot under any circumstances 
intermarry ; nor can a member of a lower caste 
ever pass to a higher. Only, if he lead a good 
life, he may console himself with the hope of be- 
ing born in a higher caste the next time. 

Ques. Is there any caste lower than the Su- 
dras ? | ) 

Ans. No regular caste, but there exists a most 
unhappy race called Pariahs, who are treated 


226 MytTHoboay. 


with the utmost contempt, and employed only in 
the vilest offices. They cannot enter the house of 
any one belonging to a pure caste, and they are 
not only unclean themselves, but are supposed to 
contaminate everything they touch. Different 
accounts are given as to the origin of these Pa- 
riahs. 

Ques. Are the Hindoos allowed to eat flesh ? 

Ans. The three higher castes are forbidden it 
altogether. The Sudras may eat every kind but 
beef, but the Pariahs are under no restriction 
whatever. The idea seems to be that they are so 
vile that no kind of food could pollute them. 

Ques. Are the castes ancient ? 

Ans. So much so, that it is impossible to say 
when they were first established. The Pariahs 
are being gradually raised from their degradation 
by the efforts of Christian missionaries. 


BUDDHA. 


Ques. Who was Buddha ? 

Ans. Buddha is said by the Vedas to have been 
a delusive incarnation of Vishnu, but his follow- 
ers give a different account. 

Ques. What do they say? 

Ans. They say that he was a mortal sage, called 
Guatama, and also Buddha, or the Wise. 

(Ques. When did Buddha live ? 

Ans. We cannot ascertain exactly, but it is pro- 


Eastern Myrnonocy. 227 


bable he was a contemporary of Solomon—that is, 
he lived about one thousand years before our era. 
He was the son of a king, and was distinguished 
by wisdom, virtue and every personal gift. He 
was so disgusted with the wickedness of men, 
that he retired into a desert place, where he spent 
Six years in prayer and meditation. At the end of 
this time, he began his career as a religious 
teacher. He preached first in Benares, but his 
doctrines were received with so much favor that 
he lived to see them spread over all India. Bud- 
dha died at the age of eighty. 

Ques. Was Buddhism tolerated by the Brah- 
mins ? 

Ans. It appears that for several centuries it 
was, and that it extended to Ceylon, and ie 
Eastern peninsula. 

Ques. What are the doctrines of the Bud- 
dhists ? 

Ans. They reject the Vedas altogether, and the 
religious observances prescribed in them. They 
allow animal food, and acknowledge no distinction 
of castes. Bloody sacrifices are prohibited. One 
of the duties of a priest of Buddha is to study 
the medicinal properties of plants in order to 
benefit his. fellow men. We may see, therefore, 
that Buddba had more reasonable and humane 
ideas than those who composed the Vedas, and 
that he was probably a true sage among his peo- 
ple. 


Ques. Is Buddhism common in India? 


228 Myrnonoay. 


Ans. No; after being tolerated for a long time, 
a fierce and continued persecution was raised 
against it. This had the effect of suppressing the 
sect almost entirely in India, and of spreading it 
in the adjacent countries. 

Ques. When was the worship of Buddha first 
introduced into China? | 

Ans. About the year 65 of our era. From 
China it spread to Corea, Japan and Java. 

In Japan, Buddhism has, to a great extent, 
supplanted the Sinto religion, the ancient faith of 
Japan. The word Sinto signifies spirit worship ; 
the priests of this sect teach that the world is 
governed by an infinite number of spirits. The 
chief of these animates the sun; others rule the 
moon, stars, and different elements. 

The worship of the sun is the most important 
exterior part of their religion, and the Japanese 
were so much attached to this form of idolatry, 
that the Buddhists have incorporated it with their 
own rites. 2 


CHAPTER YV. 


CHINA. 

Ques. Is Buddhism universally followed in 
China? | 

Ans. There is, strictly speaking, no state or 
national religion in China, but all forms of wor- 
Ship are tolerated,-unless they are considered 
politically dangerous. Among the pagan Chinese 
three principal religions are admitted, which are 
now considered equally good, although there 
were formerly bitter wars between their followers. 

(Jues. What are these ? 

Ans. The first, of which Confucius is in some 
sort the founder, is called the “ Doctrine of the 
Lettered ;’ the second is regarded by its profes- 
sors as the primitive religion of the ancient inhab- 
itants of China. The priests are called 'T'ao-sse, 
or Doctors of Reason, from the principal doctrine 
of their great teacher, Lao-tze, who considered 
primordial reason as the creator of all things. 
The third religion is Buddhism, which, as we 
have seen, was introduced into China in the first 
century.of our era. 


250 _ Myrnovroey. 


Ques. Who was Confucius ? 

Ans. Confucius is the Latinized name of a phi- 
losopher whom the Chinese call Kung-fu-tse, 
(Reverend Master Kung). He was born in the 
year 551 B. C., and died in 479; eleven years be- 
fore Socrates was born. Confucius was carefully 
educated in virtue and learning by his widowed 
mother. At her death he retired, according to 
Chinese custom, for the appointed three years of 
mourning. During this time, he devoted himself 
to the study of ancient writers, and noticing how 
completely the morality of the old sages was for- 
gotten in China, he determined to restore their 
usages and doctrines. After careful preparation, 
he set himself up as a teacher, and his disciples 
were soon numbered by tens of thousands. Con- 
fucius travelled through the neighboring countries, 
preaching wherever he went; he was at one time 
prime minister of the empire, but his last years 
were spent in retirement with some chosen disci- 
_ ples. We read that he paid a visit to Lao-tze, 
and was so confounded by the sublime wisdom 
of that philosopher, that on his return home he 
remained three days buried in profound thought, 
refusing to speak, or answer any of the questions 
put to him by his disciples. Confucius enjoyed 
unbounded popularity during life, but the honors 
paid to him after death, have no parallel in his- 
tory. His tablet is in every school in China, and 
both master and pupils are required to prostrate 
themselves before it at the beginning and end of 


~ Basrern Myrsouoey. 931 


each class. very town has a temple erected in 
his honor, and his statue is to be found in every 
literary institution. Confucius left one grandson, 
‘T'se-tse, whose descendants constitute the only 
hereditary nobility in China. In the seven- 
teenth century, they numbered eleven thousand 
males. 

Ques. What were the doctrines of Confucius ? 

Ans. This philosopher did not originate any 
religious creed: he was simply a teacher of mor- 
ality. It is thought, from many passages in his 
writings, that he believed in one Omnipotent 
God. He does not, however, inculcate any such 
doctrine, nor does he ever speak of any future re- 
ward as a motive for virtuous actions. Fihal 
piety and other social and domestic virtues are 
strongly inculcated. It would be well for the 
Chinese of the present day, if their conduct cor- 
responded to the maxims of their great teacher, 
whose morality, though often defective, contains 
much that is to be admired. It is a proof, if any 
were needed, that human motives are too weak to 
have any lasting influence on the passions of men; 
and the Chinese, particularly the followers of 
Confucius, seem to have lost even the last traces 
of natural religion. 

Ques. Why then do they persevere in his wor- 
ship? 

Ans. The honors paid to Confucius, as well as 
to the souls of their ancestors, constitute an exter- 
nal religion for official persons and literary men. 


232 MYTHOLOGY. 


There seems to be no sort of belief connected with 
these observances. 

Ques. What difficulties did this cause among 
the Christian missionaries ? 

Ans. Some of these missionaries believed that 
the honors paid to Confucius were purely civil 
observances; and that the worship of the souls 
of deceased relations, the oblations made at their 
tombs, etc., were simply national customs to 
which no superstitious idea was attached. As 
they were assured of this by the most learned 
men of the Empire, they permitted the newly 
converted Chinese to continue these observances. 
Others, however, considered that, among the © 
ignorant, these rites always degenerated into 
superstition, and often into idolatry. The dis- 
pute was referred to Rome, and after a careful in- 
quiry, the latter opinion prevailed; the rites in 
honor of Confucius, together with the worship of 
ancestors, were forbidden to the Chinese Chris- 
tians. 

Ques. Who was Lao-tze? 

Ans. He was a Chinese philosopher, contempo- 
rary with Confucius. With regard to his life and 
actions, many absurd and impossible things are 
related. His name, Lao-tze, means ‘Old Child; 
and the Chinese say, this appellation was given 
him because he was born already old, and with 
eray hair. The followers of Lao-tze believe in a 
spiritual world, in spiritual manifestations, and in 
the transmigration of ‘souls. This doctrine is 


Eastern MytTHo.oey. 933 


called the religion of Tao, or Reason. The priests 
are now only cheats and jugglers, living on the 
superstition of the people, to whom they sell 
charms and spells. 

Notwithstanding the degraded character of his 
followers, the writings of Lao-tze prove that he 
was a true sage, a man of noble and elevated 
ideas. He has been compared favorably with 
Plato, and some have claimed that the Chinese 
philosopher travelled as far west as Athens. Be 
this as it may, if is certain Lao-tze spent some 
time in Persia and Syria. The Ten Tribes had 
just been dispersed over Asia by the conquests of 
Salmanasar ; and it is not possible that a sage so 
eager in the pursuit of religious knowledge, should 
have failed to learn something of the ancient 
prophecies and the Mosaic law. 

Ques. What did Lao-tze teach with regard to 
God ? 

Ans. In his writings he declares plainly that 
the world was erected by a threefold divinity. 
His followers, however, like the rest of the Chi- 
nese, have no definite idea of God. 

Ques. What class of Chinese follow the doc- 
trines of Buddha, or Fo ? 

Ans. At present the Chinese Buddhists belong 
principally to the lower classes. Formerly this 
religion was in higher repute, but the magnificent 
temples of Buddha are now going gradually to 
decay, and there seems no prospect that any at- 
tempt will be made to restore them. The Bonzes, 


234 Myruoxoey. 


or Buddhist priests, are ignorant and degraded, 
and are allowed to live in the greatest poverty. 
They are not permitted to marry; to keep up 
their numbers they buy young children, who may 
be had in China for a few sapecks, and these are 
trained for the service of Buddha. These Bonzes 
have sunk so low in public estimation, that they 
are often hired to perform inferior parts on the 
stage. 

(Jues. Where is the most celebrated temple of 
Buddha ? 

Ans. In Pou-tou, an island in the Archipelago 
of Chusan. This temple retains many traces of 
its former magnificence, and is particularly re- 
markable for a triple statue of Buddha. There 
are three gigantic figures, richly gilt, which rep- 
resent the divinity in the past, the present and 
the future. In this temple is a hall dedicated to 
the Goddess of Porcelain, and every part of the 
edifice is crowded with hideous idols of the lesser 
divinities. 

(Jues. What is the general feeling of the Chi- 
nese on religious subjects ? 

Ans. They are entirely indifferent, and have 
but a vague idea of the existence of anything be- 
yond the present life. This indifference is the 
greatest obstacle with which the Christian mis- 
sionaries have to contend in China. 

(ues. Do the Chinese ever argue among them- 
selves on points of belief? 

Ans. Never. When Chinese, who are strangers 


EASTERN My rHoLoey. 235 


to each other, meet, a polite formula is to ask 
“To what sublime religion do you belong?’ 
Then one will call himself a Buddhist, another a 
follower of Confucius, etc., upon which polite- 
ness requires that each one should speak slight- 
ingly of his own religion, and praise the sect to 
which he does not belong. These compliments 
end by all repeating in chorus a proverbial phrase 
to the effect that all men are brothers, and relig- 
ions are of no consequence. 

Ques. If such total indifference prevails in Chi- 
na, on the subject of religion, how does it happen 
that Christianity should be so severely persecuted ? 

Ans. This arises partly from the political fears 
of the Chinese government, and its jealousy of 
strangers. The missionaries are, of course, for- 
eigners, and it is natural that the emperors should 
imagine them to be working in the interest of the 
great western nations whose power they so much 
fear. There are other reasons; the purity of 
Christian morals has been always a reproach to 
pagan society, and the spirit of darkness never 
fails to rouse the prejudices and passions of men 
against the progress of the faith. In ancient 
Rome, where the idols and superstitions of every 
conquered nation found a ready welcome, Chris- 
tianity obtained a foothold only after three cen- 
turies of persecution. | 


CHAPTER VI. 
Thibet. 
THE GRAND LAMA. 


Ques. What is the prevailing religion of Thi- 
bet ? 

Ans. Buddhism prevails in Thibet and Tartary. 
The people of these countries are more thoughtful 
than the Chinese, and more earnest with regard 
to religious matters. Their priests, called Lamas, 
live together in large communities. They are 
given to study, and their dwellings, or Lamaseries, 
often contain large and valuable libraries. Many 
of the Lamas are addicted to demon worship and 
sorcery, but these are generally looked upon with 
aversion by the more virtuous among their breth- 
ren. 

(ues. Who is the Grand Lama? 

Ans. He is a sort of High Priest of Buddhism 
residing in Lassa, the capital of Thibet; he is in- 
vested with an entirely supernatural character. 

Ques. How is this? 


EASTERN MYTHOLOGY. 237 


Ans. The Buddhists believe that the confine- 
ment of the soul in a human body is a state of 
misery, and the punishment of sins committed in 
a former state of existence. They maiztain, how- 
ever, that pure spirits, from time to time, assume 
our human nature voluntarily, in order to promote 
the welfare of mankind. Such are the Lamus, 
and since the victories of Genghis Kan in the 
East, the Lama residing in Thibet has been con- 
sidered the Chief Pontiff of his sect, and a perpet- 
ual incarnation of Buddha. He is also a tempo- 
ral sovereign, although he is controlled by the 
Chinese government. 

Ques. How is the line perpetuated ? 

Ans. When the Lama dies, his soul enters im- 
mediately into the body of some child, so that he 
is simply said to transmigrate. 

(Jues. How is the child discovered ? 

Ans. This is an affair of some difficulty, but the 
inferior Lamas always succeed in finding the hid- 
den divinity. The child into whom they sup- 
posed the Lama’s soul has entered, is required to 
remember the most private acts of the Lama’s life, 
to recognize, as familiar objects, the articles 
which he was accustomed to use, etc. The child- 
ren thus examined have sometimes answered in 
so extraordinary a manner that many have sup- 
posed Satan was permitted'to aid in the impos- 
ture. 


CHAPTER VIL. 
MYTHOLOGY OF SCANDINAVIA. 


Ques. What does this mythology include ? 

Ans. The ancient superstitions of that portion 
of Northern Europe now known as Sweden, Nor- 
way, Denmark and Iceland. 

Ques. What is the general character of Scandi- 
navian mythology? 

Ans. It has none of the grace and poetic beauty 
which characterize the fables of Greece and 
Rome ; and it differs equally from the more mys- 
tical superstitions of the Persians and Hindoos. 
In warm and fertile regions, the temper, even of 
the barbarian, is softened into harmony with the 
scenes around him, and his superstitions, though 
still sensual, are more gentle and refined. On the 
other hand, the wild and rugged North made its 
own impress on the Scandinavian tribes, and their 
superstitions were gloomy and extravagant, with 
sometimes an element of savage grandeur and 
subhmity. 

Ques. Was this mythology transmitted by oral 
traditicn only ? | 


SCANDINAVIAN Myrnonoay. 239 


Ans. his must have been the case for a long 
time; as the oldest of the Eddas was compiled 
only in the eleventh century, and the stories which 
it contains of the Northern gods and heroes, had 
been long familiar to the people in the recitations 
- of their bards. The Scandinavian Skalds or 
bards were, like the Celtic, historians as well as 
minstrels. 

Ques. Who composed the Eddas ? 

Ans. It is impossible to say. The oldest, or 
poetic Edda, was compiled by Sdmund Sigfisson, 
an Icelandic priest, about the middle of the eleventh 
century. He was educated in France and Ger- 
many, and spent some time in Rome before his 
return to Iceland. He was induced to compile 
the Hdda, principally, 1t would seem, from a pa- 
triotic desire of preserving the ancient legends of 
his race. The word Edda means ancestress, and 
it is so called because it is considered the mother 
of Icelandic poetry. The Sagas were written in 
Denmark and the Scandinavian peninsula. 

Ques. What account do the Eddas give of the 
creation ? 

Ans. They say that in the beginning, there was 
neither heaven nor earth, but a world of mist, in 
which flowed a mysterious fountain. Twelve 
rivers issued from this fountain, and when they 
had flowed far from their source, froze into ice, 
which, gradually accumulating, the great deep was 
filled up. Southward from the world of mist, was 
the world of light. From this a warm wind 


240 MyrHowoey. 


flowed upon the ice, and melted it. The vapors 
rose in the air and formed clouds, from which 
sprung the Frost Giant and his progeny; also 
the cow Audhumbla, by whose milk the giant was 
aourished. The Frost Giants were the enemies 
of gods and men. From the ice of the lower 
leep a god arose, who married a daughter of the 
giants, and became the father of three sons, Odin, 
Vili and Ve. These slew the giant Ymir, and out 
of his body formed the earth on which we live. 
His bones were changed into mountains, his hair 
into trees; of his skull they made the heavens, 
and of his brain, clouds charged with hail and 
snow. Odin next regulated the days and seasons 
by placing the sun and moon in the heavens, and 
appointing them their respective courses. As soon 
as the sun shed its rays upon the earth, the plants 
and trees began to bud and sprout. The three 
gods walked by the side of the sea, admiring their 
new creation, but seeing that it was uninhabited, 
they resolved to create man. Aske and Embla, 
the first man and woman, were therefore formed, 
the man out of an ash, and the woman out of an 
alder. They were the parents of the whole hu- 
man race. 

Ques. What idea had the ancient Scandina- 
vians of the form of the earth? 

Ans. Their notions on the subject were childish 
in the extreme. ‘They thought that the ash tree 
Yedrasill, supported the entire universe. This 
tree had three roots, one of which extended into | 


SCANDINAVIAN MyTHoLoay. 241 


Asgard, the dwelling-place of the gods; another 
into Jotunheim, the abode of the giants; and a 
third into Niffleheim, the region of darkness and 
cold. Under the tree lies Ymir, and his efforts to 
throw off the weight cause earthquakes. The 
root that extends into Asgard is carefully tended 
by three Norns, who correspond to the Fates of 
Greek mythology. Asgard could only be entered 
by crossing the bridge Bifrost, (the rainbow). 

Ques. Describe Asgard. 

Ans. It contained gold and silver palaces, the 
dwellings of the gods, but the most famous and 
beautiful of these was Valhalla, the residence of 
Odin. This god is represented as seated on a 
throne which overlooks all heaven and earth. On 
his shoulders sit the ravens, Hugin and Munin, 
who fly every day over the whole world, and on 
their return report to him all that they have seen. 
At Odin’s feet he two wolves, to whom he gives 
all the meat that is set before him, as he himself 
stands in no need of food. Mead is for him both 
food and drink. 

Ques. How is Odin’s name sometimes writ- 
ten? 

Ans. Woden; and from this comes the name of 
the fourth day of the week, Woden’s day, 
changed to Wednesday. 

Ques. Has Odin any other name ? 

Ans. He was sometimes called Alfadur, (All 
father,) but this name is occasionally used in a 
way that seems to prove that the Scandinavians 


242. MyrHo.oGcy. 


had an idea of a divinity superior to Odin, Un- 
created and Eternal. 

Ques. What were the delights of Valhalla, and 
who were permitted to enjoy them ? 

Ans. None were admitted to Valhalla but he- 
roes who had fallen in battle. Women, children, 
and all who had died a peaceful death, were ex- 
cluded as unworthy. The joys of Valhalla con- 
sisted in eating, drinking and fighting. They 
feasted on the flesh of the boar Schrimnir, which 
was cooked every day, and became whole again 
every night. The goat Heidrun supplied them 
with never-failing draughts of mead, which they 
drank from the skulls of their slaughtered ene- 
mies. Tor pastime, they fought, and cut one an- 
other to pieces. When the hour of feasting 
came, they recovered from their wounds, and were 
whole as before. 


THOR. 


Ques. Who was Thor? 

Ans. He was Odin’s eldest son, and was god of 
thunder. His mighty strength depended upon 
three things—his hammer, his belt of strength, 
and his iron gloves. The giants at one time 
obtained his hammer, and he was obliged to use 
a very singular stratagem to recover it. 

Ques. What was this? 

Ans. Thor was most anxious to recover his 


hammer, but the giant Thrym had buried it eight 


SCANDINAVIAN MyrnHonoay. 243 


fathoms deep under the rocks of Jotunheim. 
Loki undertook to negotiate with Thrym ; but 
the giant demanded the hand of the goddess 
Freya, and refused to restore the hammer on any 
other terms. Thor was much troubled, as he 
knew how vain it was to expect that the bright 
goddess of love and song would consent to dwell 
in the dismal regions of Jotunheim. The artful 
Loki proposed that Thor should array himself in 
the garments of Freya, and accompany him to 
the abode of the Frost Giants. Thor consented, 
and 'Thrym welcomed his veiled bride with great 
joy, attributing her silence to a modest reserve. 
He was much surprised, however, to see her eat 
for supper eight salmons, besides a full grown ox 
and other delicacies, washing down the repast 
with proportionate draughts of mead. Loki bade 
him not to wonder at this, as her thoughts had 
been so much occupied by her approaching nup- 
tials that she had not eaten for many days. When 
Thrym was startled by the fiery eyes he saw 
gleaming from beneath the bridal veil, Loki 
again made an excuse which satisfied him, so 
he brought the hammer, and laid it on the lap of 
the supposed bride. Thor seized the weapon, 
and finding his wonted strength restored, he threw 
off his disguise, and rushed upon Thrym, whom 
he slew with all his followers. 

Loki had served Thor in this adventure ; on an- 
other occasion he incurred his wrath by an injury 
offered to Sif or Sifa, his wife. The hair of this 


244 MytTHoLoay. 


goddess flowed around her in sunny waves that 
shone like gold. She was proud of this adorn-_ 
ment; and Loki, willing to punish her vanity, 
and always ready for mischief, found means to 
cut off her hair while she slept. 

The goddess was inconsolable, and 'Thor sought 
the insolent offender, intending to crush him with 
his redoubtable hammer. 

Loki was terrified, and sought the dwelling of 
the Gnomes. These skillful workmen gave him a 
head of hair which they had spun from the purest 
gald, and which was so wonderfully wrought that 
it would attach itself to the head of the wearer, 
and increase in length like ordinary hair. Sifa 
was enchanted with the golden locks, and the 
cunning Loki escaped the threatened punish- 
ment. 

From Thor’s name is derived the word Thurs- 
day. 


PREY AND (Sid) veo 


Ques. Who was Frey ? 

Ans. He was one of the greatest of the gods. 
He presided over rain, sunshine, and the fruits of 
the earth. From his name comes our word Fri- 
day. 

Ques. Who was Freya? 

Ans. She was the sister of Frey or Freyr. She 
loved music, Spring and flowers, and was a 
friend of the elves, or good fairies. Treya was 


ScANDINAVIAN MYTHOLOGY. 245 


invoked by lovers, and seems to have been a sort 
of Scandinavian Venus. 


BRAGI. 


Ques. Who was Bragi? 

Ans. He was god of poetry, but he scorned all 
lighter strains, and was the patron of those only 
who sung the praises of the gods and the deeds 
of warriors. 

Iduna, his wife, kept in a casket certain apples 
which the gods, when they felt age approaching, 
had only to taste to renew the vigor and bloom 
of youth. On the approach of the Great Twi- 
light, and the end of time, this fruit was to lose 
its magic power. 


HEIMDALL 


(Ques. Who was Heimdall ? 

Ans. He was the watchman of the gods, and 
was stationed at the extreme verge of heaven to 
guard the bridge Bifrost. The gods continually 
feared that the giants might force their way over 
the shining arch, and invade Valhalla. 

Heimdall required less sleep than a bird, and 
his sight was. so keen that he could distinguish the 
smallest object, for a thousand leagues around, 
even in the darkest night. His quickness of 
hearing was equally wonderful ; he could hear the 


246 MytTHoboay. 


wool growing on the sheep’s backs, and the grain 
sprouting in the fields. He possessed a horn of 
such construction that when he blew upon it, the 
sound spread in widening circles until it reached 
the uttermost confines of the world. Heimdall 
was not permitted to marry, lest any care for wife 
or children might interrupt his unceasing watch- 
fulness. 


VIDAR. 


Ques. Who was Vidar? 

Ans. He was the god of silence. His strength 
was almost equal to that of Thor; he was often 
employed like Mercury as messenger of the gods. 
He had sandals which sustained him equally in 
’ the air, and upon the water. 


HODUR, 


Ques. Who was Hodur? 

Ans. He was a blind deity, endowed with pro- 
digious strength. He was mild and benevolent, 
but certain terrible predictions concerning him 
inspired such terror in Asgard that it was not 
Jawful for any god to pronounce his name. Ho- 
dur seems to have been a personification of 
night. 


SCANDINAVIAN MyTHoLoay. QAT 


THE VALKYRIOR. 


Ques. Who are the Valkyrior ? 

Ans. According to the Scandinavian tradition, 
they are warlike virgins, the messengers of Odin, 
and their name signifies ‘‘ Choosers of the slain.” 
Odin is desirous of collecting a great many heroes 
in Valhalla, that he may be able to meet the 
giants in the final contest at the end of the world. 
He sends the Valkyrior, therefore, to every battle 
field to make choice of those who shall be slain. 
When they ride forth on their errand, mounted 
upon war steeds and in full armor, their shields 
and helmets shed a strange flickering light, 
which flashes up over the northern skies, and is 
called by men, “ Aurora Borealis,” or “ Northern 
Lights.” 


LOKI AND HIS PROGENY. 


Ques. Who was Loki? 

Ans. Loki was an evil deity, the contriver of all 
fraud and mischief. He was very handsome, but 
of fickle and malicious temper. Loki had three 
children, the wolf Fenris, the Midgard serpent, 
and Hela, or Death. The gods were not igno- 
rant that these monsters were growing up, and 
would one day bring much evil upon gods and 


248 MyTHoLoay. 


men. Odin, therefore, sent a messenger to bring 
them to him. When they came, he threw the 
serpent into the deep ocean by which the earth is 
surrounded. The monster soon grew to such an 
enormous size, that, holding his tail in his mouth, 
he encircled the whole world. Hela was cast into 
Niffileheim, where she receives as her subjects all 
who die of sickness or old age. ‘The wolf Fenris 
gave the gods much trouble before they succeeded 
in chaining him. He broke the strongest fet- 
ters as if they were made of cobwebs. Finally, 
the mountain spirits fashioned a chain which he 
could not break. It was fabricated of the roots 
of stones, the noise made by the footfall of a cat, 
and other equally absurd and imaginary material. 


BALDUR THE GOOD. 


Ques. Who was Baldur ? 

Ans. He was the son of Odin, good and exceed- 
ingly beautiful. He was tormented by terrible 
dreams, indicating that his life was in peril. He 
told these things to the assembled gods, who re- 
solved to do all in their power to protect him. 
Frigga, the wife of Odin, exacted an-oath from 
the elements, fire, air, water, and from everything 
animate and inanimate upon the earth—stones, 
plants, rocks and animals—that they would do no 
harm to Baldur. The gods were so well satisfied 
with this, that they amused themselves with 


SCANDINAVIAN MyTHonoay. 249 


throwing sticks, stones and all manner of wea- 
pons at the hero, who was not harmed by any- 
thing. Loki, with his usual malice, was deter- 
mined on Baldur’s death, but did not know ex- 
actly how to bring it about. He assumed, there- 
fore, the form of an old woman, and went to see 
Frigoa. The goddess asked him what the gods 
were doing at their meetings. The disguised Loki 
replied that they were throwing darts and stones 
at Baldur, without being able to hurt him. 

He inquired of Frigga, in his turn, if it were 
really true that she had exacted an oath of all cre- 
ated things, to spare Baldur. “Aye,” said Frig- 
ga; “all things have sworn, save a mistletoe 
which was growing on a mountain side, and 
which I thought too young and feeble to crave an 
oath from.” As soon as Loki heard this, he went 
away rejoicing. Having cut down the mistletoe, 
he repaired to the place where the gods were as- 
sembled, and put the bough among the sticks 
which they were casting in sport at Baldur. 
It was thrown with the rest, and Baldur fell to the 
ground pierced through and through. The gods 
were overwhelmed with grief, and broke forth 
in the wildest lamentations. Then Frigga came, 
and asked, who among them would show his love 
for her, and for Baldur, by procuring the deliv- 
erance of the hero. Not having fallen in battle, 
Baldur had passed into the power of Hela, who 
ruled over the gloomy regions of Hell, or Nifile- 
heim. Hermod, the son of Odin, offered to re- 


250 MytTHoLoay. 


pair thither, and pay to Hela a mighty ransom 
for the return of his brother Baldur. He set out, 
therefore, mounted on Odin’s horse Sleipnir, 
which had eight legs and could outstrip the wind. 
For nine days, and as many nights, the hero rode 
through darksome glens where no object could be 
discerned in the gloom. On the tenth, he came 
to a dark river, which was spanned by a bridge 
of gold; this was the entrance into Hell, and Her- 
mod rode over it fearlessly, although it shook and 
swayed under his living weight. He passed the 
night in discourse with Baldur, and the next 
morning preferred his petition to Hela. He 
offered any ransom she might name for Baldur’s 
return, assuring her that heaven and earth re- 
sounded with lamentations for the hero. Hela 
would take no ransom, but wished to try if Baldur 
were really so beloved. “If,” said she, “all 
things in the world, both living and lifeless, weep 
for him, then shall he return; but if any one 
thing refuse to weep for him, then shall he be 
kept in Hell.” 

On hearing the result of Hermod’s mission, the 
gods made proclamation throughout the world, 
beseeching all created things to weep for Baldur’s 
deliverance. All complied with this request ; 
both men and animals, all, even to the savage 
beasts of the forest, shed tears for the hero. The 
trees and plants shed crystal drops like rain, and 
even the rocks and stones were covered with a 


SCANDINAVIAN MyTHoLoay. 251 


glittering dew. One old hag only, sat in @ cavern, 
and refused to weep, saying. 


“Thankt wil wail 
With dry tears 
Baldur’s bale-fire. 
Let Hela keep her own.” 


It was strongly suspected that this hag was no 
other than Loki himself, who never ceased to 
work evil among gods and men. ‘Thus Baldur 
was prevented from coming back to Asgard. 


Funeral of Baldur. 


Ques. How was the hero buried ? 

Ans. Baldur’s body was borne to the seashore, 
and placed upon a funeral pile which was built 
of his own ship, the largest in the world. All 
the gods were present, and even the Frost and 
Mountain Giants were touched with kindness and 
came to do him honor. When the wife of Baldur 
saw the funeral pile prepared, she died of grief, 
and her body was consumed with that of her 
husband. 


Loki’s Punishment. 


Ques. How did the gods revenge the death of 
Baldur ? | 

Ans. They pursued Loki, who made use of his 
magical power to escape their wrath. He changed 


252 MyTHOoLoay. 


himself at one time into a salmon, and hid 
among the stones of a brook. He was taken, 
however, by Thor, who caught him by the tail, 
and compressed it so, that all salmons ever since 
have had that part remarkably thin. Being re- | 
stored to his natural form, Loki was bound with 
chains in a gloomy cavern. A serpent was sus- 
pended over his head, whose venom falls upon his 
face drop by drop. One comfort is allowed him ; 
his wife Siguna sits by his side, and catches the 
drops as they fall, in a cup; but when she carries 
it away to empty it, the venom falls upon Loki, 
which makes him howl with horror, and twist his 
body so violently that the whole earth shakes, 


The Elves. 


Ques. Who were the Elves ? 

Ans. They were beautiful spirits, clothed in 
transparent ‘and delicate garments. They loved 
the light, and were kindly disposed to mankind. 
The country of the Elves was called Alfheim, and 
was the domain of Freyr, the god of the sun, in 
whose light they were always sporting. 

Ques. Were all the fairies equally beneficent ? 

Ans. No; the Night Elves, also calied Gnomes, 
and sometimes Brownies, were at times exceed- 
ingly malicious. They were ugly, long-nosed 
dwarfs of a dark brown complexion, and were 
never seen except at night, because the sun's rays 
had the power of changing them into stones. 

Ques. Where did these dwell ? 


SCANDINAVIAN MyrHouoay. 253 


Ans. The Gnomes dwelt in mountain caverns 
and the clefts of rocks. They were particularly 
distinguished for their knowledge of the mysteri- 
ous powers of nature. They were also skillful 
workers in wood and metal, and were acquainted 
with the secret stores of gold and silver which the 
gods had hidden in the earth. Many stories are 
related of their malicious pranks; but they some- 
times favored the poor and friendless in an unex- 
pected manner. 

Lhe principal works of the Gnomes were Thor’s 
hammer, and the ship Skidbladnir. This vessel 
was so wonderfully wrought, that while it was 
large enough to carry all the deities with their 
war and household implements, it could be folded 
together so small as to be carried in the hand. 


Runic Letters. 


Ques. What are Runic-letters ? 

Ans. One may occasionally meet in Norway, 
Denmark, or Sweden with great stones of differ- 
ent forms, engraven with characters called Runic, 
which appear, at first sight, very different from 
any letters we know. They consist almost inva- 
riably of straight lines in the shape of little sticks, 
either single or in groups. Divination was an- 
ciently practiced among the northern nations by 
means of sticks of different lengths. ‘These were 
shaken up, and from the chance figures they 
formed, the priests predicted future events. 


254. MyTHoLoey. 


When alphabetic writing was introduced, the let- 
ters naturally took the form of the ancient runes. 
The magic verses were of various kinds. The 
noxious, or, as they were called, the bitter runes 
were recited to bring evils on their enemies; the 
favorable averted misfortune; some were medi- 
cinal, others employed to win love, ete. In later 
times, the runes were used for inscriptions, of 
which more than a thousand have been found. 

The language is a dialect of the Gothic, called 
Norse, still in use in Iceland. The inscriptions 
may, therefore, be read with certainty; but they 
throw very little light on history, being princi- 
pally epitaphs on tombstones. 


Ragnarok, the Twilight of the Gods. 


It was a firm belief of the northern nations, 
that a time would come when all the visible crea- 
tion, the gods of Valhalla, the inhabitants of 
earth, men, giants and elves, would be destroyed, 
together with their habitations. 

This fearful day will not be without its fore- 
runners. First will come a triple winter, during 
which clouds of snow, driven by piercing winds 
from the four quarters of the heavens, will fall 
unceasingly on the earth; tempests will sweep 
the sea, and the sun will impart neither heat nor 
gladness. Three such winters will pass away 
without being tempered by a single summer. 


SCANDINAVIAN MyTHoLoGy. 255 


Three other winters will then follow, during 
which war and discord will convulse the universe. 
The solid earth will tremble, the sea will leave its 
bed, and the heavens will be rent asunder. 

During this convulsion of nature, armies will 
meet in combat, and so great shall be the slaugh- 
ter, that wolves and eagles will banquet:upon the 
flesh of kings and heroes. The wolf Fenris will 
now break his bands; the Midgard serpent rise 
out of the sea, and Loki, released from his chains, 
will jo the enemies of the gods. The Eddas 
give a wild description of the last great battle- 
field on which the powers of good and evil shall 
contend, and on which all alike, whether gods or 
demons, are doomed to perish. When all are 
slain, the world will be wrapped in flames, the 
sun will become dim, the stars will fall from 
heaven, and time shall be no more. 

After this universal destruction, Alfadur (AIl- 
Father) will cause a new heaven and a new earth 
to rise out of the abyss. This new earth will pro- 
duce its fruits without labor or care; perpetual 
spring will reign, and sin and misery will be un- 
known. In this blissful abode, gods and men 
are to dwell together in a peace which the powers 
of evil can never again disturb. 


Germany. 


The Mythology of the Teutonic or Germanic 
race is neither so picturesque nor so well defined 


256 MyTHoLoay. 


as that of Scandinavia. Odin and other Scandi- 
navian divinities were worshipped by the tribes 
who dwelt along the borders of the Northern 
Ocean ; in other parts of Germany, Druidism pre- 
vailed. The Germans had, however, their own 
deities and their own superstitions. Tuisco 
(sometimes written Tuesco or Tuisto) was wor- 
shipped by the Saxons as the god of war. The 
third day of the week takes its name from this 
divinity. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


CELTIC MYTHOLOGY, 


DRUIDISM. 


Ques. From what is the term Druid derived ? 

Ans. There exists much difference of opinion 
on this point. The word has been variously de- 
duced from the Saxon, “dry,” a magician, from 
the German, “ druthin,” a master or lord, from 
the Celtic, “deru,’ an oak, etc. The best in- 
formed writers now refer it to the compound Cel- 
tic word “derouyd,” from “ De,’ God, and 

“rouyd,’ speaking. It would, therefore, seem to 
signify those who speak of or for God. 

Ques. Where did Druidism prevail? 

Ans. In some parts of Germany, in Gaul, and 
in ancient Britain and Lreland. 

Ques. Where did it originate ? 

' Ans. Various theories have been advanced on 
this subject. Some refer it to the Siva-worship- 
pers of Hindostan, others to the Magi of Persia ; 
but all agree as to its Hastern origin. 

(Ques. Who is the earliest writer on this sub- 
ject? 


958 MYTHOLOGY. 


Ans. Julius Casar. His account is considered 
perfectly reliable, although, to render it more in- 
telligible, he gives to the Celtic gods the names 
of the Greek and Roman divinities whom they 
resemble. 

Ques. What were the principal characteristics 
of Druidism ? 

Ans. The belief in one Supreme Being: in the 
immortality of the soul, and a future state of re- 
wards and punishments. This last doctrine takes 
with them, as with the Hindoos, the form of 
metempsychosis. The religion of the Druids 
was farther characterized by the use of circular 
temples, open at the top; the worship of fire as 
the emblem of the sun, and the celebration of the 
ancient 'Tauric festival, (held on the first of May, 
when the sun enters Taurus.) 

(Ques. What name did the Druids give to the 
Supreme Being ? 

Ans. Esus, or Hesus; although this is some- 
times mentioned as the appellation of a subordi- 
nate divinity. Superior to the Roman Jupiter, 
or the Zeus of the Greeks, Esus had no parent- © 
age; was subject to no fate; he was free and 
self-existent, and the creation of the world was 
his own voluntary act. The Druids taught that 
excepting this Supreme God, all things had a be- 
ginning, but that nothing created would ever have 
anend. Notwithstanding these enlightened ideas, 
they reverenced many other divinities. The 
Assyrian Baal was worshipped among the Celts 


CELTIC MyrHoLoay. 959 


as Bel or Belen. As he represented the sun, the 
Romans recognized in him their god Apollo. 
Diodorus Siculus, a contemporary of Cesar, 
makes the following statement on the authority 
of an ancient Greek writer. 

“ Apollo,” he says, “is worshipped with solemn 
rites by the inhabitants of a large island, which 
hes off the coast of Gaul, in the Northern Ocean. 
This island is inhabited by the Hyperboreans, 
so named because they live beyond the region of 
the north wind. ‘The god has there a remarkable 
temple, circular in form, and a magnificent forest 
is consecrated to him.” It is generally supposed 
that the temple alluded to by Diodorus, was the 
Druidical circle of Stonehenge, of which we shall 
speak later. 

Ques. Who was Teu’tates ? 

Ans. This name is thought to be derived from 
“Tut-tat,” signifying ‘parent of men.” ‘This 
god was much honored by the Gauls, who attrib- 
uted to him the invention of letters and poetry. 
According to the Triads, (Druidical verses,) he 
“wrote upon stone the arts and the sciences of 
the world.” In his more beneficent character, the 
name Gwyon was often given to this divinity. 
He resembles, both in name and attributes, Thoth, 
the .Mereury of Egypt and Pheenicia. The an- 
cient Gauls had no idols, nor did they ever at- 
tempt any visible representation of their deities. 
When the Romans established their own wor- 
ship in the country, they endeavored, according to 


2.60 MyTHOLOGY. 


their usual policy, to conciliate the conquered 
tribes by adopting their gods, and placing their 
images in the temples which they built. We read 
that Zenodorus, a famous sculptor, said by some 
to have been a native of Gaul, excuted a statue 
of Teu’tates which cost forty million sestertia. 
He spent six years upon this great work. 

Camul, the Celtic Mars, Tarann, the god of 
thunder, and many other divinities of inferior 
rank, were worshipped in Gaul and Germany. 

Ques. How was the Druid priesthood divided ? 

Ans. Into three orders; the priests, the bards, 
and the Druids, properly so called. 

Ques. What were the duties of the priests? 

Ans. They studied the hidden laws of nature 
and the mysteries of earth and heaven. They 
offered public and private sacrifices, and obtained 
a knowledge of the future from the entrails and 
the blood of victims, or from the flight of birds. 
They also cured maladies with certain mysterious 
charms. The bards held a still higher rank: they 
preserved in their verses the mystic learning of 
the priests, the traditions of their race, and the 
great actions of their heroes. No sacrifice was 
duly offered without their sacred chant; they en- 
couraged the warrior going to the field of combat, 
and received him on his return with notes of 
triumph. ‘To live in heroic song was the aspira- 
tion of every Celtic warrior, and to the coward or 
traitor, there was no penalty so terrible as the 
denunciation of the sacred bards. Music was the 


CELTIC MytTHonoey. 261 


only gentle art known to the rude tribes of Gaul 
and Britain, and they were, perhaps for this reason, 
the more susceptible to its influence. The char- 
acter of these minstrels was peculiarly sacred in 
their eyes, on account of the gifts of prophecy and 
second sight which they were believed to possess 
in moments of inspiration. 

The verses of the bards were never committed 
to writing, and a long and painful course of oral 
instruction was necessary before a candidate could 
be admitted to take his place in this influential 
class. According to Cesar, twenty years was the 
ordinary novitiate required. 

The bards of Gaul seem to have passed away 
with the religious system to which they be- 
longed; but in the British islands, they con- 
tinued, although divested of their sacred charac- 
ter, to be a highly esteemed and privileged class. 
We may judge of their influence in keeping alive 
the patriotic spirit of the people, from the fact 
that Edward I. ordered their extermination as 
the surest means of extinguishing the feeling of 
nationality among the Welsh tribes. In Ireland 
and Scotland, the bards gradually passed away 
with the decline of the feudal system, and the 
power of the native princes and chieftains whose 
glory they sung. 

Ques. Who were the Druids, properly so called ? 

Ans. They were priests of the highest order, 
who remained secluded in caves and grottoes, or 
in the depths of oak forests, where they were sup- 


262 MyTHouoey. 


posed to study the deeper mysteries of nature and 
religion, and to consult more directly the secret 
will of the divinity. ‘They were also the teachers 
of youth. 

The Druids must have possessed some knowl- 
edge of the motions of the heavenly bodies, since 
they counted the year by lunations ; astronomical 
instruments have also been found among the 
druidical remains in Ireland, which prove that 
they had made a certain progress in this science. 
Like the Persians, they mingled astrology and 
divination with their observations of the celestial 
bodies. The healing art was also practised by the 
Druids. The effect of their remedies was not, 
however, attributed to any natural cause, but 

rather to a mysterious virtue residing in certain 
plants, and rendered efficacious by the magic rites 
with which they were gathered. 

The mistletoe, when found growing on the oak, 
was esteemed particularly sacred ; it was an anti- 
dote against poison, a remedy in all diseases, and 
a preservative against the machinations of evil 
spirits. ‘To possess the proper efficacy, it should 
be gathered in February or March, on the sixth 
day of the moon. As soon asthe mistletoe was 
found growing on the no less sacred oak, the 
Druids assembled ; a banquet and a sacrifice were 
prepared, after which a priest in white vestments 
cut the plant with a golden sickle while two 
cthers received it reverently into a white mantle 
spread beneath. Two milk-white heifers were 


Cettic Myrnonoey. 263 


instantly offered in sacrifice, and the rest of the 
day was spent in rejoicing. In lke manner, the 
samoius, or marsh-wort, possessed no virtue unless 
it were sought fasting, and gathered with the left 
hand, without looking at it. They plucked the 
helago, or hedge hyssop, barefooted, and without a 
knife, after ablutions, and offerings of bread and 
wine. The vervain and other plants had also 
their distinct ceremonial. 

Amber was valued for. certain mysterious 
properties ; it was manufactured into beads by the 
Druids, and these were given as charms to war- 
riors going to battle; such beads are sometimes 
found in their tombs. 

Ques. Were the Druids acquainted with the art 
of writing? 

Ans. They were, at least in Gaul and Ireland. 
Their alphabet contained seventeen letters, and 
resembled the characters used by the ancient Pe- 
lasgi. It is probable, therefore, that they received 
it from the early Greek colonists. Writing was 
employed for ordinary affairs, whether public or 
private, but the mystic learning of the Druids 
was handed down by oral tradition only. The few 
inscriptions they have left are in symbolic writing, 
which resembles the runes of Scandinavia, and 
originated in the same manner from the rods and 
branches of certain plants used in divination. 
These inscriptions are called in Ireland “og- 
ham;’ they are principally straight lines, grouped 
in different ways. 


264 MyTHoLoey. 


Ques. Did the Druids exercise any political au- 
thority ? 

Ans. Yes; they were the legislators of the peo- 
ple, and had the right of deciding in all controver- 
sies. There was no appeal from their sentence, 
and those who ventured to resist were excommu- 
nicated and outlawed. 

The college of Druids was governed by a chief 
or Arch-druid, chosen by vote from among their 
number. The elections were eagerly contested, 
and were often attended with much bloodshed. 
The Arch-druid held his office for life. 

(Ques. Who were the Druidesses ? 

Ans. They were prophetesses or sorceress- 
es, most generally wives or daughters of the 
Druids, who exercised an unbounded influence 
over the people. They were supposed to read the 
future, to conjure tempests, and appease them 
again at will. The Gallic mariner often went to 
consult them amid the reefs of the Armorican 
coast, and trembled with superstitious awe as he 
saw them gliding like phantoms among the misty 
crags, waving flaming torches, and mingling their 
wild chants with the voices of wind and sea. 
Some of these sorceresses were obliged to assist 
at nocturnal rites, where, with their bodies paint- 
ed black, and their hair dishevelled, they joined in 
a frantic dance, and abandoned themselves to the 
wildest transports of frenzy. A peculiar rite was 
practised by the Druidesses who resided in an 
island at the mouth of the Loire. They were 


Critic MyrHonoey. 265 


obliged once every year, between sunrise and sun- 
set, to demolish and rebuild the roof of their rus- 
tic temple. If any of their number should let 
fall the least part of the sacred material, her fate 
was sealed. She was torn to pieces by her com- 
panions, amid paroxysms of wild frenzy which 
recalled to the Greeks the orgies of their own 
Bacchantes. It is said that no year passed with- 
out a victim. 

The nine virgin priestesses who dwelt on the 
island of Sena, an almost inaccessible rock off the 
promontory of Plogoff, on the coast of Brittany, 
were regarded with particular veneration, and con- 
stituted, perhaps, the highest religious authority 
among the ancient Gauls. There was a class of 
Druidesses in Gaul and Germany, who, in addition 
to practices of sorcery and incantation, presided at 
fearful rites. Strabo tells us that when the Cim- 
bri had taken prisoners of war, they were offered 
in sacrifice by these terrible women. The chief 
Druidess, standing by a rude stone altar, received 
the victim dragged thither by her companions. 
She plunged her knife into his heart, and watched 
carefully to obtain an omen, according as the 
blood should flow more or less rapidly. This cer- 
emony was repeated with other victims until the 
augury was deemed decisive. ° The superstitions 
with regard to witches and their nocturnal revels, 
which prevailed so long in Europe, originated, no 
doubt, from popular traditions concerning these 
SOLCELESSOB. 


266 MyrTHowoey. 


In Ireland, they do not appear to have played 
either so terrible or so important a part. We 
only know that at Tara, certain virgins of royal 
blood were consecrated to Baal and Samhain, 
(the moon,) and watched the perpetual fire which 
burned on their altars. In one of the civil wars 
so common in the island, a chief of Leinster de- 
stroyed this sanctuary and massacred its inmates. 
The entire country united to punish the perpetra- 
tors of this sacrilege ; they were put to death, and 
a perpetual fine was imposed on the province of 
Leinster. 

Ques. What sacrifices were offered by the 
Druids ? 

Ans. In time of peace, fruits and cattle; in 
war, human sacrifices were preferred. 

(ues. How were the victims chosen ? 

Ans. They were generally captives taken in 
war, slaves or criminals. In some cases, warriors 
and others devoted themselves voluntarily to the 
altar, either to propitiate the gods, and obtain vic- 
tory for their people, or because they were weary 
of life, and desired to hasten the moment of trans- 
migration. These acts of self-immolation were 
esteemed exceedingly meritorious. Czesar sup- 
poses Teu’tates to be the same with Dis or 
Pluto; but in the mythology of the Gauls, there 
were no infernal regions, and consequently, there 
was no Pluto The soul passed into another body, 
and the transmigration was happy, or the con- 


CeLtTic MyrHonoey. 267 


trary, as the actions performed during its last 
state of existence had been good or evil. 

According to the Druids, death was but the 
central point of a long life. 

Ques. What was the usual mode of sacrifice ? 

Ans. Victims offered to Baal were always 
burned. On important occasions, a great num- 
ber were enclosed in a huge frame of wicker work 
in which they were consumed together. In offer- 
ings to other gods, different rites were observed. 

These remarks apply chiefly to Gaul, Germany 
and Britain. Human sacrifices were rare in Ire- 
land. 

(Jues. What were the principal festivals of the 
Druids ? 

Ans. The Tauric festival, which has been 
already mentioned, was the most ancient, dating 
from the time of the Chaldees, or Babylonians. 
In Ireland and in the Highlands of Scotland, the 
first of May takes its name from this solemnity, 
being called in Gaelic, Beltane; and in Irish, 
Beal-Tinne, or the Fire of Baal. The solstices 
were also celebrated as the chief points in the 
sun’s annual course. Wherever Druidism pre- 
vailed, there was in the centre of each great dis- 
trict or canton, a perpetual fire in honor of Baal. 
On the feast of the god, this was extinguished, 
and again lighted, after which all the fires 
throughout the country were rekindled from this 
sacred source. This rite was observed with par- 
ticular solemnity in Ireland. There the Druids 


268 Myrnonoey. 


assembled around the sacred or “parent fire,” 
which the Arch-druid extinguished. At this signal 
every fire disappeared, and, in an incredibly short 
space of time, darkness settled on the island. 
The chiefs and princes, together with the assem- 
bled people, then assisted in silent awe, while the 
Druids performed their nocturnal rites. At length 
the fire was rekindled ; torches lighted at the sa- 
cred flame were passed from hand to hand, and 
the country was soon illuminated by the Baal 
fires which blazed on every hill. The chief scene 
of these solemnities was Ouisneach, in the centre 
of the island, but the same rite was performed in 
many other places. 

According to what seems an authentic tradi- . 
tion, it was during such a ceremony that St. Pat- 
rick obtained the opportunity of holding a public 
disputation with the Druids in the presence of 
the king and chieftains assembled at Tara. It 
was Easter Eve, and the Saint, who must have 
been well aware of the penalty of death attached 
to such an act, commanded his disciples to light 
the paschal fire at the moment when all around 
was plunged in darkness. The flame was seen at 
Tara, and the Druids called loudly for the punish- 
ment of the sacrilegious strangers. They were 
seized and brought before the assembly, but the 
result was favorable to the missionaries, and from 
that day may be dated the rapid though peaceful 
decline of Druidism in Ireland. 

The idolatrous rites peculiar to the season of 


Ceutic MytHouoey. 269 


the summer solstice have been long forgotten ; 
but the custom of lighting fires upon that day, 
still prevails. The bonfires of St. John’s Eve 
(June 21st) recall, at least, one feature of the 
ancient Druid festival. 

Ques. What rites were observed on the first 
day of November? 

Ans. The day was consecrated to the Moon, 
(called in Ireland Samhain,) and was observed 
both in Gaul and in the British islands. It 
would seem that the spirits of the departed were 
also propitiated at this season, and many curious 
traditions are connected with its observance. 

Before the invasion of Czesar, Britain was so 
little known to the ancient Gauls, as to be still a 
land of mystery. They believed that on every 
feast of the moon, the souls of those who had 
died during the year, were obliged to repair 
thither for judgment. 

Connected with this, Procopius relates an Ar- 
morican legend of which some traces may yet be 
found in Brittany. At the foot of the promon- 
tory of Plogoff, around the sacred isle of Sena, 
are scattered rocks on which the sea breaks with 
an unceasing moan. Thither assemble, on the 
night of judgment, the spirits of the dead. Faint 
wailings are heard, and pale phantoms are seen 
gliding above the waves, which they are not yet 
spiritual enough to cross without human succor. 
At the hour of midnight the sailors and fisher- 
men along the coast hear mysterious voices call- 


* 276 MyrHowoay. 


ing at their doors. They rise and find strange 
barks waiting on the shore. Scarcely have they 
entered these, when the light craft is weighed 
down by a ghostly band. The terrified pilot has 
no need of helm or sail, for the barks are borne 
westwardly with incredible velocity. When they 
touch the misty shores of Britain, there is a hol- 
low murmur—the boats ride lightly on the water 
-—the souls are gone. 

The superstitious observances which are still 
practised on November, or All Hallow Eve, in 
Ireland, Scotland, and some parts of England, 
are of pagan origin, and seem to be relics of this 
festival. 

(ues. At what period may we fix the decline of 
Druidism ? 

Ans. It was suppressed in Gaul by the Roman 
conquerors, who built temples, and introduced 
the worship of their own gods, adopting also 
those of the conquered race. Druidism retired, 
step by step, before this more classic heathenism, 
but found a temporary refuge in the German for- 
ests and in Armorica. It was suppressed in Brit- 
ain during the reign of Nero. The persecuted 
Druids took refuge in the island of Mona or An- 
elesea, whence they were driven by the Roman 
troops with great slaughter. They found a last 
asylum in the island of Iona. Here they main- 
tained a certain influence up to the latter part of 
the sixth century, when the inhabitants of the is- 
land were converted by the preaching of St. 


CreLtTic Myrnonoay. 271 


Columba, the Apostle of the Highlands. This 
missionary was a native of Ireland, where Chris- 
tianity had been established for nearly a century. 

Ques. What traces still remain of the ancient 
Druidical worship ? 

Ans. Certain monuments, which are called, ac- 
cording to their form, menhirs, dolmens or crom- 
lechs. 

(ues. What are the menhirs? 

Ans. The word is derived from the old'Breton 
man, stone; and hir, long. They are upright 
blocks of stone, often terminating in a port; 
and are for the most part rough and unshapely ; 
the ordinary height is from seven to twelve feet ; 
but in some rare instances, they exceed thirty 
feet in height. The purpose of these menhirs is 
not well understood. Where they stand singly, 
or in groups of two or three, they probably mark 
a spot rendered memorable by some important 
event. Similar monuments were common ‘in 
primitive times, as we learn from Scripture ; 
when the Israelites had crossed the dry bed of 
the Jordan, Joshua placed twelve stones on the 
bank, as a remembrance of the miracle. Jacob 
marked in the same manner the spot on which he 
had been favored by a celestial vision. In cer- 
tain places on the Scandinavian peninsula, ex- 
tensive groups ef menhirs occur, scattered irregu- 
larly over the plain; these are supposed to mark 
ancient battle-fields. Where the stones are ar- 
ranged in a “ cromlech”’ or circular form, there is 


272 MyrHonoey. 


generally a dolmen in the centre. The dolmen is 
a large flat stone, placed like a table, upon two 
others which are set upright. Some of these 
were evidently altars, as the flat stone on the 
top is furrowed and slightly inclined to facilitate 
as it were the flowing of blood. Dolmens are 
found also in straight lines, forming a sort of coy- 
ered gallery. - 

(Jues. Where are the most remarkable of*these 
monuments ? 

Ans. On the continent of Europe, the most ex- 
tensive series is that of Carnac in Brittany. In 
the midst of a wide heath, stand rude blocks of 
gray granite, set on end; they are angular, and 
show no marks of polish. These menhirs are ar- 
ranged in eleven lines, forming regular alleys. 
The blocks numbered formerly about ten thou- 
sand; but there are now many gaps in the stony 
lines, as every house in the vicinity seems to 
have been built from this convenient quarry. 

At Stonehenge, in England, is a large crom- 
lech arranged in two circles and two ovals. There 
are in all about one hundred and forty stones, of 
which the smallest are estimated to weigh ten or 
twelve, and the largest seventy tons. In the cen- 
tre of the work is a massive slab of fine sand- 
stone, supposed to have been an altar. This 
eromlech is surrounded by a trench and an earth- 
en embankment. Numerous ancient barrows, or 
burial mounds, are found in the neighborhood. In 
ireland, monuments constructed of stone are 


Cettic MytTHonoey. 273 


sometimes found; but circular earthworks are 
more common. In this country, as in Brittany, 
many popular superstitions still attach to these 
remains of ancient paganism. Almost within our 
own day, many an Irish peasant has made his 
scanty harvest still smaller, rather than violate 
with the plough, the grass-grown “rath,” or 
Druid circle. Death within the year is the sup- 
posed penalty of such an act. In Brittany, malig- 
nant dwarfs and night-elves still haunt the desert- 
ed cromlech, and have power at certain times, to 
wreak their malice on the belated traveller. 
Some of these giant stones are themselves subject 
to mysterious laws. Once in a hundred years, 
they are obliged, at the hour of midnight, to pass 
in weird procession to bathe in the waters of the 
Northern Ocean. : 

Then for a few brief moments the stars look 
down on the riches buried in ancient times be- 
neath the enchanted circle. It is the treasure- 
_seeker’s golden opportunity, but woe to the avari- 
cious wretch who lingers over the spoil. He is 
crushed by the swift returning stones, and the 
morning sun finds the grim sentinels silent and 
motionless as before, bearing no trace of their 
wild nocturnal march. 


CHAPTER IX. 
Mexico. 


MYTHOLOGY OF THE AZTECS 


Ques. What peculiarity has been remarked in 
the mythology of the Aztecs or ancient Mexi- 
cans? ! 
Ans. Its incongruity. On the one hand we find 
their priests inculcating the most sublime truths 
of natural religion, and the purest maxims of 
morality, while on the other, their sacrifices and 
public worship were marked by a spirit of unex- 
ampled ferocity. 

Ques. How has this been explained ? 

Ans. It is supposed that the religion of the Az- » 
tecs was derived from two distinct sources. The 
ancient Toltecs, who preceded them in Mexico, 
were a comparatively humane and enlightened 
race ; they retained many of the highest princi- 
ples of natural religion, united, probably, with 
truths derived from primitive tradition. The Az- 
tecs seem to have adopted the religion of their 
more civilized predecessors without abandoning 


MyTHoLoGy OF THE AZTECS. 275 


their own dark and cruel superstitions. Hence 
the contradictions and inconsistencies of their my- 
thology. 

Ques. What did the Aztecs believe of God ? 

Ans. They believed in one Supreme Lord and 
Creator, to whom they attributed all the divine 
perfections. The prayers which they addressed 
to Him recall, in many instances, the very 
phraseology of Scripture. 

Ques. Did the Aztecs worship any other deity ? 

Ans. Yes, they worshipped many subordinate 
divinities who were supposed to preside over the 
elements, the changes of the seasons and the 
various occupations of men. Of these gods, thir- 
teen held the most exalted rank, while the inferior 
class numbered over two hundred. 

Ques. Who may be considered the chief of 
these subordinate divinities ? 

Ans. Huitzilopotchli, a sort of Mexican Mars, 
who was, in fact, the patron deity of the nation. 
His temples were the most stately of all the pub- 
lic edifices, and his altars in every part of the em- 
pire were continually reeking with the blood of 
human victims. 

Ques. Who was Quetzalcoatl ? 

Ans. The Aztecs, like many nations of the old 
world, had their Golden Age. During this bliss- 
ful period, Quetzalcoatl, god of the air, dwelt on 
earth, and instructed men in the use of metals, in 
agriculture and every useful art. Under his bene- 
ficent rule, the earth brought forth its fruits with- 


276 MytTHonoey. 


out care or labor: and such was the fertility of 
the soil that a single ear of corn was as much 
as a man could carry. The dyer’s art was 
not needed, for the cotton took, as it grew, the 
richest and most varied hues. The rarest flowers 
filled the air with perfume, and the melody of 
birds was heard in every grove. This happy state 
was not destined to last; Quetzalcoatl incurred 
the anger of one of the greater gods, and was 
obliged to abandon the country. He proceeded 
to the shores of the Mexican gulf, where he took 
leave of his followers, promising that, when many 
years had rolled away, he would revisit their de- 
scendants. He then embarked in a skiff made of 
serpent’s skins, and sailed eastward towards the 
fabled land of Tlapallan. 

(Juetzalcoatl was described by the Mexicans as 
tall, with a fair complexion, long, dark hair, and a 
flowing beard. They looked confidently for the 
return of the benevolent deity, and this tradition 
had no small influence in preparing the way for 
the future success of the Spaniards. 

It is evident that Quetzalcoatl was the name 
given by the Mexicans to some beneficent ruler 
who instructed them in the arts of civilized life. 
It is singular that he should have been described 
with every characteristic of the European race ; 
and some have conjectured that he was indeed a 
native of the Eastern hemisphere, cast by some 
strange accident among the simple natives of the 


New World. 


MytTHoLoGy OF THE AZTECS. 277 


Ques. Did the Aztecs worship any household 
divinities ? 

Ans. Yes; the images of their penates, or 
household gods, were to be found in every dwell- 
ing. 

Ques. What did the Aztecs believe with regard 
to a future life ? 

Ans. Their priests taught that the wicked were 
sent after death to expiate their sins in a region 
of eternal darkness. Those who died of certain 
diseases were entitled, after death, to a state of 
indolent contentment; but the Aztec paradise, 
like the. Elysium of the Greeks and Romans, was 
reserved for their warriors and heroes. In this 
class were included those who were offered in sac- 
rifice. These privileged souls passed at once into 
the presence of the Sun, whom they accompanied 
with songs and choral dances in his journey 
through the heavens. After a certain period, 
their spirits went to animate the golden clouds 
which floated over the gardens of paradise, or, 
assuming the form of singing birds, revelled amid 
the blossoms and odors of its sacred groves. 

Ques. What peculiar rite was practised by the 
Aztecs in the naming of their children ? 

Ans. The lips and bosom of the infant were 
sprinkled with water. During the ceremony they 
implored the Lord, that the holy drops might 
wash away the sin that was given to it before the 
foundation of the world, so that the child might 
be born anew. 


278 MyrTHouoey. 


Ques. How did the Aztecs bury their dead ? 

Ans. Immediately after death, the corpse was 
clothed in certain sacred habiliments, and strewed 
with charms, which were supposed to be neces- 
sary as a defence against the dangers of the un- 
known road which the spirit was about to travel. 
The body was then burned, and the ashes, care- 
fully collected in a funeral urn, were placed in 
the house of the deceased. In this mode of 
burial, we may notice a certain resemblance to 
the funeral rites of the ancient Greeks and Ro- 
mans. There was, however, this distinction, that 
although the latter occasionally sacrificed their 
captive enemies to the manes of a departed war- 
rior, this offering formed no necessary part of the 
burial rite; on the other hand, the obsequies of 
an Aztec noble were always accompanied by the 
sacrifice of unoffending slaves, the number of 
victims being proportioned to the rank of the 
deceased. 

Ques. Did the Aztec priests form a distinct 
order ? 

Ans. They were altogether distinct from the 
people, and formed a numerous and powerful 
hierarchy. ‘Their different functions were exactly 
regulated ; those who were best skilled in music 
formed the choirs—Others arranged the festivals 
according to the calendar. Some were engaged 
in the education of youth, and others had charge 
of the hieroglyphical paintings and oral tradi- 


MyrTHoLoGy OF THE AZTECS. 279 


tions, while the dreadful rites of sacrifice were 
reserved to the chief dignitaries of the order. 

Ques. Were women permitted to exercise any 
sacerdotal functions ? 

Ans. Yes; the Aztec priestesses exercised every 
function except that of sacrifice. They super- 
intended the schools in which the daughters of 
the higher and middle classes received their edu- 
cation. ‘These schools, as well as those for boys, 
directed by the priests, were under the strictest 
discipline. Ordinary faults were punished with 
extreme rigor ; graver offences, with death. 

Ques. How was this numerous priesthood main- 
tained ? 

Ans. A certain quantity of land was annexed 
to each temple, and the priests were further en- 
riched by first fruits and other offerings. This 
large provision became necessary from the fact 
that the Aztec priests were allowed to marry. 
The law prescribed that any surplus, beyond what 
was actually required for their support, should be 
distributed among the poor. This, and other 
benevolent provisions, seem very inconsistent with 
the cruelties practised in their public worship. 

Ques. What was the form of the Mexican tem- 
ples ? 

Ans. They were solid pyramids, constructed 
of earth, but completely cased in brick or stone. 
They were disposed in three or four stories, each 
smaller than that below. At the top was a broad 
area, in which stood one or more towers, contain- 


280 MyTHOLOGY. 


ing images of the presiding deities. Before these 
towers were generally placed, besides the dread- 
ful stone of sacrifice, two lofty altars on which 
burned perpetual fires. So numerous were these 
sacred fires in the city of Mexico, that the streets 
were brilliantly lighted even on the darkest night. 
The ascent was made, in Some cases, by a stair- 
way which led directly up the centre of the west- 
ern face of the pyramid. More generally, it was 
so arranged, that the religious processions were 
obliged to pass two or three times around the 
pyramid before reaching the summit. The Mex- 
icans called their temples Teocallis, or “ houses of 
God.” ) 

Ques. Are any of these structures still in exist- 
ence ? 

Ans. Yes; of those which yet remain, the pyra- 
mid of Cholula is the largest, and perhaps the 
most perfect. It mearsures 176 feet in perpen- 
dicular height, and is 1425 feet square; it covers 
45 acres. It is very ancient, having been built 
before the Aztecs conquered Anahuac, as that 
part of Mexico was formerly named. 

(ues. What sacrifices were offered by the 
Aztecs ? 

Ans. Their sacrifices present the same striking 
contrasts which we find in everything connected 
with their religion—Some festivals were of a 
light and joyous character, being celebrated with 
choral songs and dances. Processions of votaries 
crowned with garlands, bore offerings to the tem- 


MytruoLoGcy oF THE AZTECS. 2S1 


ple ; fruits, ripe maize, and the sweet incense of 
the copal and other odoriferous gums; while the 
birds and domestic animals offered im sacrifice 
were consumed at the banquets with which the 
festival concluded. These innocent rites were evi- 
dently of Toltec origin; the dreadful practice 
of human sacrifice was introduced by the Aztec 
conquerors, whose wars were often undertaken for 
no other purpose than to procure victims for their 
altars. 

(ues. Were these sacrifices numerous ? 

Ans. They were introduced only about two 
hundred years before the Spanish Conquest. 
They were at first-exceptional, but became more 
frequent as the Aztec empire extended, until 
the number of those-sacrificed annually through- 
out the empire is calculated at twenty thou- 
sand, which is the lowest estimate given. It 
was customary to preserve the skulls of the vic- 
tims in buildings erected for the purpose. One 
hundred and thirty-six thousand of these ghastly 
relics were counted in a single edifice. Women 
were occasionally offered in sacrifice, but Tlaloc, 
the god of rain, could only be propitiated by the 
blood of young children and infants. In seasons 
of drought, these innocent victims, decked in the 
richest attire, and crowned with flowers, were 
borne to the temple in open litters, their cries be- 
ing drowned in the wild chanting of the priests. 

The feast of Tezcatlipoca, one of the chief gods, 
who was called the “ Soul of the World,” was cele- © 


282, MyrHonoay. 


brated by the sacrifice of a single victim, with re- 
gard to whom many peculiar ceremonies were ob- 
served. <A year before the sacrifice, a young man, 
distinguished for grace and beauty, was chosen 
from among the captives. He was splendidly 
attired, surrounded by every luxury, and was re- 
ceived everywhere with the homage due to the 
divinity whom he was supposed to represent. 

When the fatal day arrived, the victim, who 
had been trained to perform his part with calm- 
ness and dignity, was conducted to the temple. 
As the melancholy procession wound up the sides 
of the pyramid, he played upon a musical instru- 
ment; at first, joyous airs, which grew graver and 
more mournful as the cortege advanced, until at 
length he broke his lute, and cast it aside. He 
then threw from him, one by one, his chaplets of 
flowers, and stood unadorned before the stone of 
sacrifice. The bloody work was soon accom- 
plished, and the yet palpitating heart of the vic- 
tim was thrown at the feet of the idol. The ca- 
reer of this captive, and his progress to the altar, 
was intended as an allegorioal representation of 
human life, which, joyous at first, terminates in 
sorrow and in death. In speaking of human sac- 
rifices, we have yet to mention the most revolting 
feature. The Mexicans, both men and women, 
feasted on the bodies of the victims; and no Aztec 
noble would venture to entertain his friends on a 
festival day without placing before them this 
loathsome food. 


MyTHOLOGY OF THE AZTECS. 283 


It is worthy of remark that Montezuma sur- 
passed all his predecessors in the pomp with 
which he celebrated the festivals of the Aztec 
gods, and the number of human victims which 
he offered on their altars. 


CHAPTER X. 
PERU. 


Ques. What deities were worshipped by the 
ancient Peruvians ? 

Ans. Like most of the races inhabiting the 
American continent, the Peruvians believed in 
one Supreme God, immaterial and infinite. This 
sublime doctrine did not, however, lead to the 
practical results that might have been expected. 

Ques. What name did the Peruvians give to 
this Supreme deity ? 

Ans. He was adored under the different names 
of Pachacamac and Viracocha. They raised no 
temples in his honor; that which stood near 
the present site of Lima, having been erected 
before the country came under the sway of the 
Incas. It seems probable, therefore, that the 
worship of this Great Spirit did not originate 
with the Peruvians. Their entire system of reli- 
gion was directed to the adoration of the heay- 
enly bodies. The Sun was adored as the father 
of the world, the source of light and life. The 
Moon was honored as his sister-wife, and the 


PERU. 285 


Stars were worshipped as her heavenly train. 
The planet known to us as Venus was an espe- 
cial object of devotion. The Peruvians named it 
Chasea, or “the Youth with the long and curling 
locks ;” they worshipped it as the page of the Sun, 
whom he attends in his rising and setting. 

The Sun was honored also as the father of the 
royal Inca race ; and, connected with this belief, 
we have one of the few legends worthy of note in 
the barren mythology of the Peruvians. 

Ques. Relate this legend. 

Ans. According to tradition, there was a time 
when the ancient races of the continent were 
plunged in the most complete barbarism: the will 
of the strongest was the only law; war was their 
pastime ; they worshipped the vilest objects’ in 
nature, and feasted on the flesh of their slaugh- 
tered enemies. ‘The Sun, the great parent of man- 
kind, took compassion on their degraded state, 
and sent two of his children, Manco-Capac, and 
Mama Oello Huaco, to form men into regular 
communities, and teach them the arts of civilized 
life. The celestial pair advanced along the high 
plains in the neighborhood of Lake Titicaca, as 
far as the sixteenth degree of south latitude. 
They bore with them a golden wedge, and were 
directed to take up their abode wherever the 
sacred emblem should sink into the earth of its 
own accord. This prodigy took place in the val- 
ley of Cuzco, where the wedge sank into the 
ground, and disappeared forever. Here the 


286 MyTHoLoey. 


children of the Sun entered upon their benevolent 
mission ; Manco-Capac instructing the men in the 
arts of agriculture, while Mama Oello initiated 
the women into the mysteries of weaving and 
spinning. The rude, but simple-hearted natives 
were not slow to appreciate the benefits conferred 
by the messengers of heaven: a large community 
was gradually formed, and the city of Cuzco was 
founded in the valley. The monarchy thus 
formed, was governed by the Incas, who claimed 
descent from Manco-Capac and Mama Oello, and 
always styled themselves, Children of the Sun. 

(dues. What was the origin of this legend ? 

Ans. It was evidently a fiction, invented at a 
later period to gratify the vanity of the Incas, by 
attributing to their race a celestial origin. The 
extensive ruins on the shores of Lake Titicaca 
prove that this region was inhabited by a power- 
ful, and comparatively civilized people, long be- 
fore the foundation of the Peruvian monarchy. 

(Ques. Are there any other Peruvian legends ? 

Ans. Among the traditions of this race, is one 
of the deluge, which resembles in one or two curi- 
ous particulars the Mexican legend on the same 
subject. According to both these traditions, 
seven persons took refuge in caves, in which they 
were preserved from the universal destruction ; 
and from these, the earth was re-peopled. The 
Peruvians maintained that white and bearded 
men from the east had visited the country in 
ancient times, and instructed the natives in the 


PerRrv. 287 


-arts of civilized life. This legend recalls the 
Mexican story of Quetzalcoatl, and the coinci- 
dence is singular, because no communication is 
believed to have existed between the two coun- 
tries. 

Ques. Where were the most celebrated temples 
of the Sun? 

Ans. The most ancient of these edifices was in 
the island of Titicaca, whence the founders of the 
Inca dynasty were said to have proceeded. 
Everything belonging to this sanctuary was held. 
in particular veneration. Even the fields of maize 
which were attached to the temple were supposed 
to partake of its sanctity; and the yearly pro- 
duce was distributed in small quantities through 
all the public granaries, to bring a blessing on 
the rest of the store. 

A Peruvian esteemed himself happy in secur- 
ing even a single ear of the sacred grain. 

(Jues. Describe the temple of Cuzco. 

Ans. This edifice was constructed of stone, and 
covered a large extent of ground in the heart of 
the city. The interior of the temple has been 
described, by those who saw it in its glory, as be- 
ing literally a mine of precious metals. It was 
called by the natives Coricancha, or “ Place of 
Gold.” On the western wall was the image of the 
Sun; this was a massive golden plate, of enor- 
mous dimensions, on which was emblazoned a hu- 
man countenance darting forth rays on every side. 
The image was richly ornamented with emeralds 


288 MytTHoLoey. 


and precious stones. It fronted the eastern por- - 
tal of the temple in such a manner that the first 
rays of the morning Sun fell directly on his golden 
image, and were reflected from the rich ornaments 
with which the walls and ceiling were encrusted. 
Every part of the temple glowed with the 
precious metal, and even the exterior was encom- 
passed with a broad frieze of gold set in the solid 
stone-work of the edifice. Adjoining the princi- 
pal structure was the temple of the Moon. Her 
effigy was of silver, but otherwise resembled that 
of the Sun. The same metal was used in all the 
decorations of the building, as resembling in its 
pale lustre the milder radiance of the beautiful 
planet. 

One chapel was dedicated to the stars, another 
to thunder and lightning, and a third to the rain- 
bow. This last was decorated with a many-col- 
ored arch of resplendent hues. Attached to the 
temple of Cuzco were the celebrated gardens, 
sparkling with flowers of gold and silver. Ani- 
mals also were represented in precious ore, and 
the classic fable of the golden fleece was realized 
in the llama of this fairy garden. 

Ques. Does anything now remain of this mag- 
nificent temple ? 

Ans. No; its riches became the prey of the 
conquerors, and the desecrated shrine offered an 
inexhaustible supply of material for the erection 
of other buildings. Fields of maize are now 
waving where the golden gardens once sparkled in 


PERU. 289 


the sun, and the church of St. Dominic, one: of 
the most magnificent buildings of the New 
World, occupies the site of the famous Corican- 
cha. The temples of Peru were many and mag- 
nificent ; but Cuzco was to the Inca noble what 
Mecea is to the devout follower of Mahomet, and 
he would consider that he had neglected a sacred 
duty, if he had not made at least one pilgrimage 
to the holy shrine. 

(Ques. From what class were the Peruvian 
priests generally chosen ? 

Ans. They were all, without exception, Inca no- 
bles, and therefore children of the Sun. The 
High Priest, called Villac Vmu, was second only 
to the Inca, and was chosen from among his 
brothers or nearest kindred. 

(Jues. What sacrifices were offered to the Sun? 

Ans. Animals, ripe maize, flowers and sweet- 
scented gums. Human sacrifices were rare, and 
were only offered on great occasions, such as a 
coronation, a victory, ete. A child or a beautiful 
maiden was then selected as the victim; but the 
cannibal repasts of the Mexicans were unknown 
among the more refined Peruvians. 

Ques. What were the principal festivals of the 
Sun? 

Ans. The solstices and equinoxes were celebrat- 
ed by four great festivals; but the most solemn 
-was the feast of Raymi, held at the period of 
their summer solstice. This festival lasted many 
days. The animals offered in sacrifice were 


290 MyrTHo.oey. 


served at the tables of the Inca and of his no- 
bles ; but of the flocks belonging to the temple, a 
vast number were slaughtered and distributed 
among the people. 

Ques. What points of resemblance have been 
noticed between the religious observances of the 
Peruvians and those of the ancient Romans? 

Ans. In the mode of procuring the sacred fire, 
the obtaining of omens from the animals offered 
in sacrifice, and in some of the laws with regard 
to the Virgins of the Sun. At the festival of Ray- 
mi, the sacred fire was obtained, as under the 
reion of Numa, by means of a concave mirror of 
polished metal. The sun’s rays were in this man- 
ner collected in a focus of sufficient mtensity to 
ignite dried cotton. When the sky was overcast, 
which was esteemed a very bad omen, the fire 
was obtained by means of friction. This fire was 
watched by the Virgins of the Sun. 

Ques. Who were these ? 

Ans. They were maidens of noble birth who 
were dedicated to the service of the Sun. They 
were taken from. their famihes at an early age, 
and placed under the care of elderly matrons, who 
instructed them in their religious duties, and in 
every branch of female industry. They spun 
garments, which they were taught to embroider 
with exquisite skill. They also wove, of the fine 
hair of the vicuia, the hangings of the temples 
and the garments worn by the Inca and his 
household. They were completely secluded, even 


PERU. 291 


from their own nearest relatives. The wives of 
the Inca, and they were numerous, were chosen 
from among the Virgins of the Sun. With this 
exception, they were forbidden to marry. The 
unhappy maiden who ventured to form in secret 
a less exalted alliance, was condemned to the 
cruel punishment decreed in like circumstances 
against the Roman Vestal. She was buried 
alive ; her accomplice was strangled, and the vil- 
lage to which he belonged was razed to the 
ground and sowed with stones. 

Ques. How did the Peruvians bury their dead ? 

Ans. The body was embalmed, not, as in Egypt, 
with gums and spices, but by simple exposure to 
the cold, dry and rarefied atmosphere of the 
mountains. The mummies are generally in a sit- 
ting posture. As the Peruvians imagined that 
the wants and occupations of men would be the 
same beyond the grave as in this life, costly 
apparel, arms, utensils and sometimes treasures 
were placed in the tomb of a deceased noble. 
That he might not lack attendance and society, 
his favorite wives and domestics were sacrificed 
on his tomb. 

The Peruvians believed in an evil spirit whom 
they called Cupay, but they did not attempt to 
propitiate him by any form of worship. Cupay 
seems, in fact, to have been only a personification 
of sin. 


SUPRLEMENg: 





A BRIEF NOTICE OF AUTHORS, ETC, MENTIONED 
IN THIS VOLUME. 





ZBSCHYLUS, 


The earliest of the Greek dramatists, was born 
at Hleusis in Attica, 525 B.C. He distinguished 
himself in the battles of Marathon, Salamis and 
Platza. AXschylus has been called the father of 
Grecian tragedy, as he was the first to give rules 
to the dialogue, and define the duties of the 
chorus; he also planned the dress of the actors, 
the scenery and the whole mechanism of the stage. 
Aischylus wrote sixty-six dramas, in thirteen of 
which he obtained the victory over all his compe- 
titors. He was at length defeated by a younger 
rival, Sophocles. He retired the same year to 
the court of Hiero, king of Syracuse, and some 
writers attribute this step to the mortification felt 
by the poet on this occasion. Others say that he 
was accused as guilty of profanity in exhibiting 
on the stage certain things connected with the 
Eleusinian mysteries. The people were about to 
stone him, when he was saved by the presence of 
mind of his brother Aminias. The latter had 


SUPPLEMENT. 293 


won much glory in the Persian war, and now, 
while interceding for his brother, he dexterously 
dropped his mantle so as to expose the stump of 
the arm he had lost at Salamis. The silent ap- 
peal was not without its effect on the impulsive 
Athenians, and Aischylus was pardoned. He 
deemed it prudent, however, to retire to Sicily, 
where he was kindly entertained by Hiero. His 
death is said to have occurred in a very extraor- 
dinary manner. 

As he slept in the fields, an eagle which was 
flying over him with a tortoise in his claws, mis- 
took the bald head of the poet for a stone. The 
Lird dropped the tortoise for the purpose of break- 
ing the shell, and he was killed by the blow, thus 
verifying a prophecy that his death would come 
from on high. 

Of the dramas written by Aischylus, but seven 
remain. Of these, the most admired is the “ Pro- 
metheus Chained.” The subject is the punish- 
ment of Prometheus on Mount Caucasus; the 
scenery is grand and terrific, and all the persons 
of the drama are divinities. 


CHISAR (Caius Julius), 


The Roman general and. dictator, holds a 
high rank among Latin authors. During the 
most active period of his life, he found time 
to devote to literary pursuits. Of the works writ- 
ten by him on various subjects, both in prose and 


294. MytTHoLoey. 


verse, we have only his “ Commentaries,” in ten 
books. Seven of these treat of the Gallic war ; 
the rest contain an account of the Civil war. 
The hurry of military expeditions did not prevent 
this extraordinary man from observing closely 
the manners and customs of the different nations 
with whom he contended. We are indebted to 
the Commentaries for almost all the accurate in- 
formation we possess with regard to the inhabit- 
ants of ancient Gaul. 

Czesar was not surpassed, even by the writers 
of the Augustan age, in clearness and beauty of 
style. He exaggerates nothing, and his most 
briliant achievements are related with a certain 
modest simplicity which is one of the character- 
istics of true greatness. 


CICERO. 


A Roman orator and statesman. He filled the 
highest offices in the gift of his country, and took 
so prominent a part in public affairs, that an ac- 
count of his life would be also a history of his 
times. Cicero wrote on the art of public speak- 
ing, on philosophy and jurisprudence. This great 
man, who had saved Rome from the plots of 
Catiline, and rendered many other signal services 
to his country, was basely murdered by the order 
of the second Triumvirate, in the year 43 B. C. 


SUPPLEMENT. 295 


DEMOSTHENES. 


A famous Athenian orator, who defended the 
liberties of his country against the aggressions 


of Philip of Macedon. 


DIODORDUS, 


Surnamed Siculus, from Sicily, his birthplace. 
He was a celebrated historian, contemporary with 
Julius Cesar and Augustus. He wrote a “General 
History” in forty books, of which we have now 
fifteen entire, with scattered fragments of the 
others. Diodorus devoted thirty years to this 
great work. 


EURIPIDES, 


A Greek tragedian, was born in 480 B. C., on the 
day rendered famous by the victory of Salamis. 
After gaining a high reputation as a dramatist, 
Euripides retired to Macedon, to the court of 
King Archelats. On the death of the poet, the 
Athenians begged that his body might be sent to 
Athens for interment. This request Archelats 
refused, and Euripides was buried with much 
pomp at Pella, in Macedon. This poet is inferior 
to Aaschylus and Sophocles, not only in dignity 
of sentiment, but in the moral tone of his dra- 
mas. Sophocles is said to have observed that 
while he represented men as they ought to be, 
Euripides described them as they were. 


296 MYTHOLOGY. 


HERODOTUS, 


Who has been called the Father of History, was 
born at Halicarnassus, 484 B.C. He spent many 
years travelling through Europe, Asia and Africa, 
_ observing everywhere the manners and customs 
of the people, and collecting materials for his 
great work. His account of the Persian war 1s 
full of interest, and won for him great popularity 
among his countrymen. 

Herodotus relates many things which seem 
strange, and eyen incredible ; but these are either 
traditions of remote times, or accounts received 
from other travellers. The general opinion is that 
where Herodotus speaks from his own observa- 
tion, or relates events of which the memory was 
still recent, he may be relied upon as an accurate 
and truthful historian. 


JUSTIN (Saint). 


A Christian writer of the second century. He 
is principally celebrated for his “ Apology for the 
Christians,” addressed to the Emperor Antoninus, 
It is written in a style at once eloquent and per 
suasive, and itis believed that it had the desired 
effect, and was the immediate cause of the edict 
issued by Antoninus in favor of the Christians. 

St. Justin addressed a second Apology to Mar- 
cus Aurelius, but with far different success. This 
Emperor was too much under the influence of 


SUPPLEMENT. 297 


the heathen philosophers whom he had assembled 
at his court, to judge impartially in the matter. 
One of these, Crescentius, a bitter enemy of the 
Christians, procured the death of their intrepid 
defender. The martyrdom of St. Justin took 
place at Rome, about the year 161 A. D. 


JUVENAL. 


A Roman poet of the first century. He was 
born in the reign of Caligula, but the exact date 
is not known. Juvenal is celebrated for his sa- 
tires, in which he attacked the vices and follies of 
his day, not sparing the emperors themselves 
where their conduct was deserving of reproach. 
Hadrian believed that one of the satires of Juve- 
nal was directed against himself; he had not the 
magnanimity to overlook the offence, and Juvenal 
was exiled to Lybia, where he died soon after. 


MACENAS. 


Minister and favorite of the Emperor Augustus. 
He was distinguished for the wisdom of his coun- 
sels, and his rare abilities as a statesman. Al- 
though himself an indifferent poet, he was still a 
patron of literature and literary men; Virgil, 
Horace, Ovid and other celebrated writers of the 
Augustan age, were among his most intimate 
friends. Such was the care with which Meecenas 
sought out and rewarded every species of merit, — 


298 | MyrHo.oay. 


that his name is proverbially used to denote a 
generous patron. 

Admirable in his public capacity, he was in pri- 
vate life as indolent and luxurious as the most 
effeminate oriental. His villas were laid out with 
unexampled magnificence, and his banquets sur- 
passed, in taste and display, those given by Au- 
gustus himself. 

The later years of Mecenas offer a sad com- 
mentary on the value of human greatness. His 
constitution, which had never been strong, was 
weakened by excess. He was tormented by con- 
stant wakefulness, and this great man, with the 
resources of the world at his command, would 
probably have sacrificed both wealth and power 
for the common boon of sleep enjoyed by the 
meanest of his slaves. In vain the physicians ex- 
ercised their skill; narcotics, monotonous sounds, 
distant music, all failed to produce the desired 
effect. A stream was, at length, conducted 
through a garden adjoining the chamber where 
he lay, and the soft murmur of the falling waters 
procured a temporary alleviation. We are told, 
however, that for three years preceding his death, 
Mecenas never slept. 


PELASGI.. 


A name given to the most ancient inhabitants 
of Greece. They founded colonies in Asia Minor, 
the islands of the Aigean Sea, and in Italy. The 


SUPPLEMENT. 299 


Cyclopean remains in these countries are gener- 
ally attributed to the Pelasgi. These structures 
are remarkable for the immense size of the stones 
of which they are built. 


PLINIUS, (Secundus C.) 


A Roman writer, generally known as Pliny the 
Elder, is equally celebrated as a historian and 
a naturalist. It is not easy to understand 
how one man could have followed so many dif- 
ferent avocations, filled high offices under dif- 
ferent emperors, and yet have found time for such 
a vast amount of composition. While still quite 
young, Pliny served in Germany, where he com- 
manded a troop of cavalry ; he afterwards prac- 
tised as a pleader at the Roman bar, filled the 
office of procurator in Spain, and we find him, at 
the time of his death, in command of the fleet 
which guarded the coast of Italy. 

The application of Pliny to literary pursuits was 
uninterrupted. He rose to his studies at two in 
the morning, and during the entire day, whether 
in the bath, at table, or sitting in his garden, he 
either listened to reading, wrote, or dictated. 
Even on his journeys and military expeditions, a 
secretary always sat in his chariot. We are 
told that in winter Pliny was careful to provide 
him with a warm glove of peculiar make, that his 
fingers might not be too much benumbed to hold 
the stylus. 


300 MytTHonoey. 


We have but one complete work of this author, 
his Natural History, in thirty-seven books. It 
treats, not only of natural history, properly so 
called, but also of astronomy, biography, history, 
physiology, medicine and the fine arts. The por- 
tion which treats of animals possesses now but 
little interest. 

In many instances, the description is so vague 
as to leave us in doubt as to the particular animal 
he would designate. He also mingles facts, really 
observed, with fables of winged horses, monsters 
with human heads and the tails of scorpions, ete. 
The ten books, on botany are open to the same 
objections. He attributes to many plants prop- 
erties altogether fabulous, and his work, although 
formerly much quoted on these points, has ren- 
dered very little service to the art of medicine. 
The case is different where he speaks of geogra- 
phy, history and the fine arts. On all these 
points, he imparts much valuable information of 
which we would otherwise be deprived. The 
Natural History may be considered, from its wide 
range of subjects, a sort of Cyclopedia, and it is 
said that if the Latin language were lost, it might 
be restored from this work alone. 

Pliny perished in the great eruption of Mount 
Vesuvius which destroyed the towns of Hercu- 
laneum and Pompeii. He observed the phenom- 
ena accompanying it from the deck of his ship. 
Wishing to take a nearer view, and also to succor 
some of his friends whose villas lay near the 


SUPPLEMENT. 301 


scene of peril, he steered across the bay, and 
landed at the foot of the mountain. The next 
morning, while pursuing his investigations, regard- 
less of the remonstrances of his friends, he was 
suffocated by the noxious vapors of the volcano. 
His body was discovered three days later, en- 
tirely uninjured, and in an attitude of repose. 

C. Puintus CactLius SEcuNDUs, nephew of the 
preceding, is generally distinguished as Pliny the 
Younger. Under the care of his uncle he made 
such rapid progress in literature, that he was 
generally accounted one of the most learned men 
of his age. 

He began his career as an orator at the early 
age of nineteen. After filling the high offices of 
queestor, consul and augur, Pliny was appointed 
by Trajan governor of Bithynia. It was from this 
country that he wrote his celebrated letter in 
favor of the Christians. It is interesting and im- 
portant, as showing the progress of Christianity, 
and bearing testimony to the purity of life which 
was the distinguishing mark of its professors. 

Pliny has left a collection of letters in ten 
books. They are addressed to some of the most 
celebrated persons of the time, and are valuable 
and interesting for the information they convey 
with regard to public events, and the manners and 
habits of his contemporaries. The style of these 
letters is studied, and they have none of the ease 
and familiarity of friendly correspondence. It 
seems probable that they were intended rather 


302 MytTHoLoey. 


for posterity, than for the persons to whom they 
were ostensibly addressed. 


PROCOPIUS. 


One of the most celebrated historians of the 
Kastern Empire. He flourished during the reigns 
of Justin the Elder and Justinian, and accom- 
panied Belisarius as secretary on his military ex- 
peditions. 


SIMONIDES. 


This poet excelled particularly in elegiac verse. 
When the most distinguished poets of Greece 
wrote verses in honor of those who fell at Mara- 
thon, the elegy of Simonides took the prize, al- 
though Aischylus was one of the competitors. 
The compositions of the great tragedian were de- 
ficient in the tenderness and pathos for which 
Simonides was particularly distinguished. The 
lament of Danaé, and a few scattered fragments, 
are all that remain of -his verses, but thése are 
sufficient to prove that his reputation in this re- 
pect was well deserved. 

Simonides brought the epigram to all the per- 
fection of which it was capable. The most cele- 
brated of his epitaphs is the monumental inscrip- 
tion composed for the Spartans who died at Ther- 
mopyle: “Stranger, tell the Lacedzmonians 
that we lie here in obedience to their laws.” 

Simonides was held in high esteem at the court 


SUPPLEMENT. 303 


of Hiero, king of Syracuse. This prince having 
inquired of him concerning the nature of God, 
the poet requested a day to deliberate on the sub- 
ject. When Hiero repeated his question on the 
morrow, he asked for two days. As he continued 
in this manner, doubling the number of days, the 
king required an explanation. Simonides replied 
that he postponed his answer, because, the longer 
he meditated on the subject, the more obscure it 
became, and the more he felt his inability to treat 
it in an adequate manner. 

Simonides was the master of Pindar ; me lived 
to a very advanced age, so that he became the 
contemporary of the Pisistratidee and of Pau- 
sanias, king of Sparta. This poet is accused of 
having become mercenary in his old age, and 
Greek writers speak of him as the first who wrote 
verses for money. In this connection, we have a 
story which would show that the poet. was not 
believed to have forfeited the favor of the gods 
by his avarice. | 

While residing at the court of Scopas, king of 
Thessaly, he was engaged by that prince to com- 
pose a poem in his honor for an approaching ban- 
quet. Whether Simonides found the exploits of 
Scopas too barren a subject for his muse, or that 
his piety led him to introduce higher themes, we 
do not know; but when the verses were recited 
before the assembled court, the praises of Castor 
and Pollux were mingled largely with those of his 
royal patron. 


304 MyrTHonoey. 


A mortal might have been content to share his 
honors with the divine pair; but Scopas grudged 
every line which did not celebrate his own fame. 
When Simonides approached to receive his reward, 
the king gave him half the appointed sum, say- 
ing, that’ was for his part; for what related to 
Castor and Pollux, they would no doubt bestow 
a generous recompense. ‘The disconcerted poet 
returned to his place amid the jeers and laughter 
of the guests. In a little while, a slave brought 
him word that two young men on horseback were 
at the gate, and desired earnestly to speak with 
him. Simonides went out, but found no one; 
while he was looking to see which way the stran- 
gers had gone, the roof of the palace fell with a 
terrible crash, burying Scopas and his guests be- 
neath the ruins. | 

On. being informed of the appearance of the 
young men who had sent for him—of their snow 
white steeds and shining armor, he knew that it 
was indeed Castor and Pollux who had acknow- 
ledged, in this manner, the homage of his verse. 


SOPHOCLES 


Was the second in order of time of the great 
tragic poets of Greece. In true dramatic excel- 
lence, he is generally considered the first. The 
poet was only sixteen when he was selected to 
lead the chorus of Athenian youths who cele- 


SUPPLEMENT. 305 


brated with lyre and song the erection of the 
trophy in honor of the victory at Salamis. In his 
twenty-fifth year, he carried off the tragic prize 
from Aischylus. He gained the same triumph 
over other competitors, taking the first prize on 
twenty-four different occasions. 

Irreproachable in private life, distinguished for 
his skill in every manly exercise, and a rare ex- 
cellence in the arts of poetry and music, Sopho- 
cles was considered by his admiring countrymen 
as an especial favorite of the gods. The remark 
of the ancient sage that no man is to be accounted 
happy before he dies, was verified in the case of 
this great poet. If the morning of his life was 
bright in the lustre of national glory and personal 
renown, the evening was clouded by the misfor- 
tunes of his country, and domestic unhappiness. 
Sophocles served with courage, but without gain- 
ing much distinction, in the Peloponnesian war, 
and was a witness of the miseries which that fatal 
struggle brought upon Greece. He died in the 
year 405, B. C., a few months before the defeat of 
J&gos-potamos completed the misfortunes of 
Athens. He was deeply lamented by the Atheni- 
ans, who seem to forget the calamities of the 
time in their grief at the loss of so illustrious a 
citizen. Sophocles wrote one hundred and thirty 
dramas, of which seven remain. Of these, the 
Cidipus Tyrannus and the Antigone are the most 
admired. 


306 MyrHo.oey. 


STRABO. 


A celebrated geographer, born at Amasea, 
in Pontus, about the year 24, B. C. He spent 
many years in travelling, at first for hisown grat- 
ification, and in the pursuit of knowledge, but 
afterwards by the order of Augustus. He was 
already advanced in life when he compiled his 
great work on geography. It is divided into 
seventeen books, and contains much valuable and 
interesting information with regard to the man- 
ners and customs of the nations he had visited. 

Little was known at that time of the extent and 
form of earth. Strabo imagined that the entire 
habitable portion was included between two meri- 
dians, one of which passed through the island of 
Terne, (Iveland,) and the other through Ceylon. 


TITICACA. 


A lake in Bolivia, celebrated for the ruins 
of Tiahuanico on its shores. ‘They stand on an 
eminence which, from the water-marks surround- 
ing it, seems to have been formerly an island in 
the lake. So great a change has taken place, that 
the level of the lake is now 135 feet lower, and 
its shores 12 miles distant. These ruins are be- 
lieved to be the most ancient on the American 
continent. The Peruvians knew nothing of their 
origin, but had a vague tradition that they were 
built by giants ina single night. They regarded 


SUPPLEMENT. 307 


them, therefore, with superstitious awe, and con- 
nected them, as we have seen, with the fables of 
their mythology. These ruins, like some in the 
the Old World, are often called cyclopean, on ac- 
count of the size of the blocks of stone used in 
their construction. There are still remaining, 
monolithic pillars, statues and doorways, sculp- 
tured in a style entirely different from that ob- 
served on any other American monuments. We 
may form some idea of the size of the blocks used, 
from the measurement of one doorway, which is 
10 ft. high, and 13 ft. broad, with an opening, 6 ft. 
4 inches, by 3 ft. 2 inches, the whole being cut 
from a single stone. 

Some of the buildings appear to have been of 
pyramidal form, and to have covered several 
acres. Of the people who executed such stupen- 
dous works, we know absolutely nothing, except 
that they preceded the Peruvians, and were far- 
ther advanced in the arts of civilized life than 
any nation existing on the continent at the time 
of its discovery. 


VARRO. 


A Latin writer, celebrated for his extensive learn- 
ing. He is said to have composed five hundred 
volumes, all of which are now lost, with the 
exception of two treatises ; one on agriculture, the 
other on the Latin language. The latter is ded- 
icated to Cicero, an intimate friend of the author. 


308 MyrTHoLoey. 


The life of Varro was eventful : he was favored 
by Julius Cesar, proscribed by Antony, and 
passed his later years in literary ease under the 
protection of Augustus. Speaking of Varro, St. 
Augustine says, that “it 1s an equal subject of 
wonder, how one who read such a number of 
books, could find time to compose so many vol- 
umes; and how he who composed so many vol- 
umes, could have found leisure to peruse such a 
variety of books.” 


” 
a 








wy 


Acestes, 173. 

Achab, 214, 

Achilles, 58, 152, 153, 166, 98, 
Accetes, 42. 

Acrisius, 131. 
Admetus, 31. 

Adonis, 53, 216, 
Adrastus 168, 

Hacus, 102. 

Aizeus, 121, 122. 
Aigisthus, 153, 164, 
Aineas, 171. 
4Bneid, 148. 

Z&olus, 67. 

4Eschylus, 170, 199, 202, 291. 
Aisculapius, 30, 188. 
Aéson, 119, 

Abetes, 120, 

Agamedes, 184.0 
Agamemnon, 152. 
Agathocles, 214. 

Ages of the World, 18, 
Agenor, 26. 

Aglaia, 53. 

Ajax, 141, 157. 
Abriman, 218, 
Alcestis, 31. 

Alcithoé, 41. 
Alcibiades, 38, 193. 
Alemena, 114. 

Alecto, 101. 
Alexander, 187, 193. 


Alfheim, 252. 

Alpheus, 91. 

Althea, 140. 

Amazons, 135, 

Ambarvalia, 79. 

Amphion, 88, 128. 

Amphitrite, 93. 

Anchises, 171, 174. 

Andromache, 167, 172. 

Andromeda, 132. 

Antigone, 169, 

Antilochus, 58. 

Apelles, 113, 193. 

Apis, Serapis, 209, 210. 

Apollo, Phoebus, 176, 26, 29, 
30, 33, 259, 184, 182, 152. 

Arachne, 47. 

Areas, 44. 

Arethusa, 91. 

Argonauts, 120 

Argus, 37, 

Ariadne, 122. 

Arion, 126. 

Ascalaphus, 76. 

Ascanius, 171. 

Asgard, 241. 

Ashtaroth, Astarte, 216. 

Aske, 240, 

Astrea, 80.° 

Astyanax, 167. 

Atalanta, 52, 141. 

Attalus, 73. 

Athamas, 97, 119. 

Atlas, 36, 129. 


310 INDEX. 


Atropos, 101. Cecrops, 46. 
Audax, Ap. Cl., 71. Castor, 123, 141. 
Augurs, 178. Celeus, 78. 
Aurora, Eos, 56. Centaurs, 104. 
~Avatars, 222. Cephalus, 56. 
Avernus, 100. Cepheus, 132. 
Aztecs, 274. Cerberus, 101, 116. 
Ceres, Demeter, 17, 75, 76, 143. 
B Cestus, 50. 
: Ceyx, 138. 

Baal, Bel, 213, 258. Charon, 100. 
Bacchanalia, 40. Charybdis, 158. 
Bacchantes, 41. Chimera, 104, 134. 
Bacchus, 32, 39, aa 126, 186. Chione, 88. 
Bakoo, 219. Chiron, 114. 
Baldur, 248, Cholula, 280. 
Bards, 260. Cicero, 148, 293. 
Belides, 104. Cinyras, 53. 
Bellerophon, 104, 137. Circe, 96. 
Bellona, 35, ° Claudia, 73. 
Belus, 213. Cleomenes, 208. 
Belvidere, Apollo, 208. Clio, 82 


Clotho, 101. 
Clymene, 33, 123. 
Clytemnestra, 153, 164. 
Coeneus, 52. 
Confucius, 228-9, 
Consualia, 94. 
Constantine, 184, 86. 
Corcyreans, 181. 
Coricancha, 287. 
Corybantes, Galli, 73. 
Creon, 169. 

Creusa, 120. 
Croesus, 183.~ 
Cromlechs, 271. 
Cupid, 50. 

Cuzco, 287. 

Cyane, 76. 

1 A0ybele, 72.— 
Cyclops, 30, 65. 
Cynisca, 193. 
Cyparissus, 30. 


Bifrost, 241. 
Bona Dea, 73. 
Bonzes, 232. 
Bragi, 245. 
Brahma, 221. 
Brennus, 84, 
Briareus, 103. 
Buddha, 226. 













Cacus, 65. 
Cadmus, 26. 
Caduceus, 36. 
Ceeculus, 65. 
Cesar, Augustus, 63, 147, 149. 
Cesar, Julius, 258, 292 
Calchas, 152, 153, 167. 
Calliope, 82, "125. 
“*Callista, 44. 
Calypso, 159. 
Cambyses, 59, 187. 
Camul, 260. 
Carnae, 272. 
Cassandra, 152, 172. 
Cassiopeia, 132. 
Castalian fount, 189. 
Castes, 225. 


D. 


Deedalus, 137. . 
Dagon, 217. 

Danae, 131. 

Danaus, 104, 


Daphne, 33. 
Deianira, 117. 
Delos, 54. 

“~ ) Delphi, 181. 
Demosthenes, 181, 295. 
Deucalion, 136. 

Diana, 29, 87, 91, 152. 
Dictys, 132. 

Dido, 172. 

Diodorus, 181, 259, 295. 
Diomedes, 46, 116. 
Dindymus, Mt., 72. 
Dionysius, 23, 194. 
Dodona, 180. 
Dolmens, 272. 
Domitian, 70. 

Druids, 258, 261. 
Druidesses, 264. 
Dryades, 90, 143. 


E. 
Echo, 91. 
Eclogues, 147, 178. 
Eddas, 239. 


Electra, 164. 


Eleusinian Mysteries, 77. 


Elves, 250, 251, 252. 
Elysium, 174, 104. 
Embla, 241. 

Ephesus, Temple of, 89 
Epidaurus, 188. 
Epimetheus, 124. 
Erato, 82. 

Erigone, 81. 
Prisichthon, 148-4. 
Erostratus, 89. 

Esus, 258. 

Eteocles, 168. 
Eumenides, 102. 
Euphrosyne, 53. 
Euripides, 170, 193, 295. 
Europa, 26. 

Euryale, 131. 

Eurydice, 125. 
Eurystheus, 114. 
Euterpe, 82, 


INDEX. 


311 


F. 


Fates, 101, 140. 
Fauns, 85. 

Fenris, 247-8, 255. 
Flora, 92. 

Fo, 233. 

Frey, 244. 

Freya, 244. 

Frigga, 248, 249. 
Frost Giants, 240, 249 
Furies, 101, 201. 


G: 


Games, Classic, 191. 
Ganymede, 43. 
Georgics, 148. 
Genghis, Kan, 237. 
Germanicus, 211. 
Geryon, 104, 116. 
Giants, 209. 
Gnomes, 244, 252. 
Gorgons, 47, 132. 
Graces, 53. 
Gradivus, Mars, 35. 
Guatama, 226. 
Guebers or Guebres, 226, 


H. 


Hadrian, 189. 
Heemon, 106. 
Halcyone, 138. 
Halcyons, 139. 
Hamadryades, 90. 
Harpies, 104. 
Harpocrates, 212. 
Hebe, 118. 


| Hecate, 87. 


<— 


Hector, 154, 166, 
Hecuba, 155. 
Heimdall, 245. 

Hela, 245, 248, 250. 
Helen, 52, 155. 
Helenus, 172. 
Helicon, Mt., 48, 146, 
Hetl, 100. 


312 


Helle, 119. 

Hercules, 31, 77, 114, 191, 192, 
195. 

Hermione, 166. 

Hermod, 249. 

Herodotus, 187, 194, 296. 

Hesiod, 146, 83. 

Hesperides, 116, 130, 

Hinnom, 215. 

Hippocrene, 48, 

Hippolytus, 30. 

Hippomenes, 52, 

Hodur, 246. 

Homer, 145. 

Sree p ary 275. 

_ Hyacinthus, 3 

mw. Hyades, “0, “ia 

Hyperboreans, 182, 259. 

Hyperion, 158: 


I. 


Ibycus, 202. 

Icarus, 137, 156. 

Ida, Mt., 51, 24, 171. 
Iduna, 245, 

Thad, 146. 

Inachus, 38. 

Incas, 285. 

Iphitus, 192. 

Ino, 97, 119. 

Io, 38, 209. 

Tole, 117. 

Iona, 270. 

Iphigenia, 52, 165. 
Tphitus, 191. 

Tris, 43. 

Isis, 38, 210. 
Isthmian Games, 196. 
Txion, 103. 

Iulus, 175. 


J. 


Janus, 17, 61, 63. 
Japetus, 123. 
Jason, 119, 141. 
Jobates, 134. 
Joeasta, 106, 





INDEX. 


Jotunheim, 241. 

Juggernaut, 224, 
Juno, 25, 38, 39, 43, 51,,114, 

175. 

upiter, 17, 19, 23, 131, 159, 
Jupiter Ammon, 186. 
Justin, (Saint, ) 178, 296 
Juvenal, 210, 212, 297. 


K. 


Kalki, 223. 
Krishna, 223. 


L. 


Labyrinth, 121, 137. 
Lachesis, 101. 
Laius, 167. 

Lama, Grand, 235-7, 
Laomedon, 57. 
Lao-tze, 228-231. 
Lara, 108, 

Lares, 108. 
Latinus, 174. 
Latona, 29, 54. 
Lavinia, 174. 

Leda, 123. 

Lemnos, 64. 

Lethe, 101, 104. 
Lucothea, 98. 

Loki, 247-250, 243, 251, 256, 
Lotus eaters, 158. 
Lupercus, 84. 
Luxor, 59. 

Lycaon, 28. 
Lycomedes, 153. 


M. 


Meecenas, 147, 297. 
Maia, 36. 

Mama Oecllo Huaco, 285. 
Manco Capac, 286. 
Mania, 108. 

Marathon, 81. 

Mars, Ares, 34, 

Marsyas, 31. 

Medea, 119. 

Medusa, 47, 94. 


INDEX. 


Megeera, 101. 

Megalecia, 73. 

Meganira, 78. 

Meleager, 140. 

Melicertes, 97, 196. 

Melpomene, 82. 

Memnon, 58. 

Menelaus, 52. 

Menhirs, 271. 

Mentor, 146. 

Mercury, Hermes, 36, 37. 

Mestra, 144. 

Metamorphoses, 150. 

Metempsychoses, 223. 

Mezentius, 175. 

Midas, 31. 

Midgard serpent, 247. 

Minerva, Pallas Athenee, 
45, 51, 88, 166. 

Minos, 102, 121, 142, 137. 

Minotaur, 121. 

Mistletoe, rite of the, 262. 

Mnemosyne, 82. 

Moloch, 214. 

Momus, 67. 

Mona, 270. 

Montezuma, 283. 

Muses, 48, 82. 


27, 


N. 


Naiades, 90. 

Narcissus, 92. 

Nemesis, 81., i 
Neptune, 17, 24, 54, 68, 93, 144. 
Nereides, 90. ; 

Nero, 184-90, 127. 
Nessus, 117. 

Nestor, 141. 

Niffleheim, 241, 246, 
_Niobe, 88, 128. 

Nisus, 142. 

Norns, 241. 

Numa, 63, 110. 
Nymphs, 90. 


O. 


Mannes, 217. 
Odin, 240-2, 245-6. 


313 


Odyssey, 146-157. 
Oceanus, 87. 
Oceanides, 87-90. 
Cidipus, 167, 106. 
Cineus, 140. 
Olympiads, 192. 
Olympic Games, 191. 
Olympus, Mt., 18. 
Ops, Rhea, 24. 
Oracles, 180. 
Oreades, 90. 

Orestes, 164. 

Orion, 131. 

Ormuzd, Ormasdes, 218. 
Orpheus, 96, 125, 
Osiris, 38, 209. 
Ouisneach, 268. 
Ovid, 148. 


P. 


Pachacamac, 284. 
Palamedes, 157. 
Pales, 92. 

Palemon, 98. 
Palladium, 46, 157. 
Pan, 31, 84, 184. 
Pandora, 124. 
Pariahs, 225. 

Paris, 51. 

Parnassus, Mt., 181, 189, 136. 
Parthenon, 207. 
Parsees, 220. 
Patroclus, 154. 
Pausanias, 184. 
Pegasus, 48, 135. 
Pelasgi, 181, 263, 299. 
Peleus, 51, 98, 141, 153. 
Pelops, 103. 

Penaies, 108, 171. 
Penelope, 156, 160. 
Pentheus, 41. 

Perdix, 137. 
Periander, 126. 
Pericles, 204, 
Perseus, 47, 94, 129. 
Peru, 284. 

Petasus, 36. 

Phaeton, 33. 
Pheacia, 160. 


314 


Phoenix, 107. 
Phidias, 81, 206. 
Philip, 193. 
Philoctetes, 118. 
Philomelus, 184. 
Phineus, 133. 
Phorcus or Proteus, 94. 
Phryxus, 119. 
Pierides, 83. 
Pleiades, 130. 
Pliny, 139, 299. 
Pluto, 24, 76,99. 
Plutus, 100. 
Pollux, 123, 141. 
Polvdectes, 132. 
Polybus, 168. 
Polydorus, 155. 
Polyhymuia, 83. 
Polyidus, 135. 
Polymnestor, 155. 
Polynices, 168. 
Polyphemus, 65. 
Polyxena, 155. 
Pomona, 92, 
Pou-tou, 234, 
Priests, Aztec, 278. 
Priestesses, Aztec, 279. 
Priam, 51, 154. 
Procris, 56. 
Procopius, 269, 302. 
_ Preetus, 137. 
Prometheus, 98, 123. 


Proserpine, Persephone, 


76, 100. 
Proteus, 95. 
Pulcher, Cl., 179, 
Pylades, 164. 
Pyrrha, 136. 
Pythia, 165, 181. 
Pythian Games, 195. 
Python, 29, 195. 


Q. 
Quetzalcoatl, 275. 
Quirinus, Mars, 34. 

R. 


Ragnarok, 254, 
Raymi, 289. 


INDEX. 


Rhadamanthus, 102. 
Runic Letters, 258, 263. 


Ss. 


Salii, 35. 

Salmoneus, 104. 
Samhain, 266. 

Samund Sigfiisson, 239. 
Santa Sophia, 90. 
Saturnalia, 62. 


‘Saturn, 17, 24, 61. 


Satyrs, 85. 

Scylla, 142. 
Semele, 39. 

Sibyls, 176. 

Sibyl, Cumean, 173, 176. 
Sifa, 243. 

Siguna, 252. 
Silenus, 32-40. 
Sirens, 95. — 
Sisyphus, 103, 134. 
Siva, 222 

Skalds, 239. 
Solymi, 135. 
Sophocles, 170, 304. 
Sphinx, 105. 
Statues, 206. 
Stonehenge, 259, 272. 
Strabo, 306. 
Strophius, 164. 
Styx, 33, 101. 
Sudras, 224. 

Sylla, 158, 184, 189. 
Syrinx, 85 


T. 


Tantalus, 88, 103. 
Tao-sse, 229. 
Tara, 268. 

Tarann, 260. 
Tarquin, 86, 177. 
Tauric festival, 258, 267. 
Telamon, 141. — 
Telemachus, 157, 161. 
Terminus, 85. 
Tezcatlipoca, 281. 
Terpsichore, 82. 
Teutates, 259, 266. 


Thalia, 53, 83. 
Thammuz, 216. 
Thamyris, 83. 
Theatres, 197. 
Themis, 80. 
Theseus, 121, 141. 
Thetis, 98, 153. 
Thor, 242-4. 
Thoth, 259. 
Thrym, 242-3. 
Tisiphone, 101. 
Titan, 24. 
Tithonus, 57. 
Titicaca, 285, 306, 
Tityus, 103. 
Tlaloc, 281. 
Toltees, 274. 
Triads, 259. 
Triptolemus, 78. 
—Tristia, 149. 
Triton, 94. 
Trophonius, 184. 
Tse-tse, 231. 
Tuisco, 256. 
Turnus, 175. 
Typhon, 102, 209. 


U. 
Ulysses, 46, 154-156, 96. 
Urania, 83. xe 
Vv. 


Valhalla, 242. 
Valkyrior, 247. 





InpeEx. 315 


Varro, 176, 307. 

Ve, 240. 

Vedas, 221. 

Venus, 49, 51, 53, 65, 171 

Vertumnus, 86. 

Vesta, 69. 

Vestal Virgins, 70. 

Vidar, 246. 

Vili, 240. 

Viracocha, 284, 

Virgil, 147. 

Virgins of the Sun, 

Virginia, 111. 

Virtues personified, 110. 

Vishnu, 222. 

Vulcan, Hephestus, 19, 64, 
68, 154 

Vulecania, 65. 

Vyassa, 221. 


xX, 
Xerxes, 183. 

Yy, 
Ymir, 240. 

Zi. 


Zend-avesta, 218. 
Zenodorus, 260. 
Zoroaster, 218. 


THE END. 


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